COVID-19 Outbreak on UK Aircraft Carrier... Over 100 Crew Members Infected

"All Crew Members Onboard Fully Vaccinated with Two Doses"
"No Schedule Disruptions"... Visit to Korea Also Planned

[Image source=EPA Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunwoo Lee] Amid a large outbreak of COVID-19 cases in the British aircraft carrier strike group, the Royal Navy of the United Kingdom announced that the fleet will continue its scheduled visits to Northeast Asian countries including South Korea and Japan.

According to the British BBC on the 14th (local time), it was reported that about 100 crew members aboard the British HMS Queen Elizabeth aircraft carrier tested positive for COVID-19. British Defense Secretary Ben Wallace stated at a press conference that "all crew members of the aircraft carrier have received at least two doses of the COVID-19 vaccine and COVID-19 management is being properly conducted," adding, "The Queen Elizabeth has now entered the Indian Ocean and will continue its voyage to visit various Asian countries, including Japan, as planned."

The UK Ministry of Defense also emphasized in a statement that "measures such as mask-wearing, social distancing, and tracking systems are being implemented onboard," and "this outbreak was part of routine testing, with only a small number of crew members testing positive." It further stated, "The 21st Carrier Strike Group centered around the Queen Elizabeth will continue its operational missions without any impact that would hinder its duties."

The Queen Elizabeth, the UK's latest aircraft carrier, is a large vessel with a full load displacement of 70,000 tons and a total crew of about 3,700. It departed from the Portsmouth Naval Base in the UK last May and plans to visit various Asian countries while conducting joint exercises with the US and Japanese navies in the South China Sea after passing through the Indian Ocean. It is also scheduled to visit South Korea and Japan.

This is not the first time that COVID-19 cases have occurred on a British naval vessel. Last year, suspected COVID-19 cases were reported among the crew of the HMS Northumberland frigate, which led to the suspension of its operational mission and the ship returning to port, where many crew members were placed in quarantine.