OREANDA-NEWS. A coronavirus outbreak has occurred aboard the British Navy's flagship Queen Elizabeth. According to the Air Force, about 100 crew members are infected. Also, the disease was detected in crew members of other ships, which, together with Queen Elizabeth, are part of an aircraft carrier group performing a cruise on the waters of the Pacific and Indian Oceans.

The press service of the aircraft carrier strike group of the British Navy does not consider the situation critical.

"A small number of crew members have tested positive for COVID-19. The strike team will continue to carry out operational tasks, and this will not affect its deployment in any way. Measures to mitigate the effects of the outbreak include, in particular, wearing masks, social distancing," the press service said.

The aircraft carrier departed from the British naval base in Portsmouth on 22 May, leading a 28-week cruise by an international carrier strike group. Its length will be 48.1 thousand kilometers with stops in India, Japan, South Korea and Singapore.

Earlier, the crew of the British strategic submarine HMS Vengeance was forced to abandon their ship due to the outbreak of the coronavirus COVID-19.

An outbreak of covid also occurred on the Russian ship SOCOL 9. Half of the crew are ill, and some are in grave condition.