A number of sailors aboard a large flotilla of Royal Navy ships have tested positive for Covid-19 -including 100 aboard the new carrier HMS Queen Elizabeth, according to reports.
The crew are reported to have tested positive after stopping in the city of Limassol in Cyprus, reports The Mirror.
Sources said nobody needed urgent treatment and the number of infections is starting to fall.
The ships will have to stay at sea for at least another three weeks and if the virus continues to spread, their next port calls could be postponed, The Sun reports.
Captain Steve Moorhouse urged the crews to take daily tests and try to avoid contact with other people as much as possible.
A Royal Navy spokesperson said only a small number of crew tested positive and measures including regular tests, social distancing and a test and trace system have been put in place.
They added: "The Carrier Strike Group will continue to deliver their operational tasks and there are no effects on the deployment."
A defence source said affected personnel are being looked after by medical staff and are isolating on their ships.
At Christmas, the crew of a Royal Navy warship were forced to return to shore and isolate after an outbreak of coronavirus on board.
HMS Northumberland, which is designed to hunt for submarines, had been on call to protect UK waters over the festive period.
The Type 23 frigate was forced to return to Devonport Naval Base, near Plymouth, two days before Christmas.
A Royal Navy spokeswoman said: "Following a number of suspected Covid cases onboard HMS Northumberland, the crew are now following health guidelines and protocols to isolate.
"The Royal Navy continues to meet all operational tasks over Christmas, as it has done throughout this pandemic."
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