ALERT More than 1080 sailors tested positive after Covid-19 hits French aircraft carrier

Category: Military
190424-M-BP588-1005 U.S. 5TH FLEET AREA OF OPERATIONS (April 24, 2019) A U.S. Marine MV-22 Osprey assigned to the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit sits on the flight deck of France's Marine Nationale aircraft carrier FS Charles De Gaulle (R 91). This was the second time that Ospreys have landed aboard the French vessel. Marines and Sailors assigned to the 22nd MEU and Kearsarge Amphibious Ready Group are currently deployed to the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations in support of naval operations to ensure maritime stability and security in the Central region, connecting the Mediterranean and the Pacific through the western Indian Ocean and three strategic choke points. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Maj. Joshua Smith/Released)

Some 20 French sailors remain hospital following an outbreak of Covid-19 in the naval group of the aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle.

1081 marines have tested positive for the coronavirus, most from the carrier itself.
“There are about 20 at the moment in hospital. Out of the 20, one is in the re-animation ward and in a stable case,” French navy spokesman Eric Lavault told RMC radio.

The statement comes a day after the French armed forces said 1,767 marines — most from the Charles de Gaulle carrier itself — had been evaluated and 1081 had tested positive for the coronavirus.

The carrier sailed for the eastern Mediterranean on 21 January to reinforce French military operations against Islamist militants in Iraq and Syria.

It participated in exercises with northern European navies in the Baltic Sea before returning to France two weeks earlier than planned when sailors began showing coronavirus symptoms.

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