HMS Queen Elizabeth sailing postponed after sailors test positive for Covid-19

The £3.1bn behemoth had been due to set sail from her home city today for her final phase of training at sea. But the plans was axed at the 11th-hour, without warning.

A Ministry of Defence spokesman confirmed that ‘fewer than 10’ members of the 1,000-strong crew had tested positive for the coronavirus and had been taken ashore to be put into isolation in barracks.

Other sailors who had contact with their infected crew-mates will isolate on board the 65,000 tonne ship.

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: ‘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.’

Scores of people had lined coastal stretches across Portsmouth to mark the warship’s latest departure from the city.

Witnesses have told The News a number of minibuses had been spotted ferrying crew away from the ship on the naval base and that paramedics had also been seen at the military establishment.

SEE ALSO: Meet the man in charge of HMS Queen Elizabeth

It is unclear when the ship will set sail again, with Portsmouth’s Queen’s Harbour Master listings showing it could leave as early as 4pm tomorrow.

The navy spokesman said the decision when to sail would be left to the carrier’s commanding officer Captain Angus Essenhigh who will act on PHE guidance.

The 65,000-tonne warships is expected to carry out training exercises at sea before returning to base for supplies ahead of departing for major international exercises including the embarkment 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 in 2021.

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