HMS Queen Elizabeth departure from Portsmouth postponed for second day after coronavirus outbreak

Royal Navy aircraft carrier HMS Queen Elizabeth has postponed a training mission for the second day in a row after a coronavirus outbreak.

The £3 billion warship was due to depart Portsmouth Naval Base for training exercises at sea on Monday.

But the trip was put on hold at the last minute after "fewer than 10" crew members tested positive for Covid-19.

The infected staff, detected after the 1,000-strong crew were tested, were taken ashore to self-isolate in barracks, the Ministry of Defence said.

Other sailors who had contact with the infected people will isolate on board the 65,000 tonne vessel.

The ship is now listed on the Queen’s Harbour Master’s website to sail on Wednesday.

It is the second time the carrier has had to postpone its sailing after two crew members tested positive for Covid-19 in April.

A Royal Navy spokesman said after Monday’s postponement: “A small number of HMS Queen Elizabeth’s personnel have tested positive for Covid during routine preparation for sailing.

“Those affected have been isolated and are working with the NHS test-and-trace system to ensure the virus does not spread further.

“The crew will continue to follow appropriate health guidelines and the HMS Queen Elizabeth will depart once their status has been confirmed.”

The spokesman said that the decision when to sail would be left to the carrier’s commanding officer Captain Angus Essenhigh in accordance with Public Health England guidance.

It is understood that the ship was still awaiting some test results and the commanding officer took the decision to postpone the departure to ensure the safety of the crew.

The carrier is set to carry out training exercises at sea before returning to base for supplies ahead of departing for major international exercises including the embarkation for the first time of both US and UK F35 Lightning jets.

It is aiming to declare strike carrier capability later this year ahead of its first operational deployment next year.

The Standard has approached the Ministry of Defence for comment on the latest postponement.

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