Royal Navy flagship HMS Albion is second ship hit by Covid-19 as some crew test positive for virus

Amphibious assault ship, HMS Albion – the Royal Navy’s current operational flagship – is in lockdown after some of the crew tested positive for Covid-19.

It is the second infection to hit one of the Senior Service’s ships this week, following a minor outbreak on Portsmouth-based aircraft carrier HMS Queen Elizabeth on Monday.

The news comes after thousands of sailors returned to work following their annual summer leave.

Sources have told The News that about half a dozen of Albion’s 325-strong crew have been infected.

The Royal Navy has insisted only a ‘very small number’ of sailors had been tested positive for the virus – but declined to offer an exact figure.

A Royal Navy spokesman told The News: ‘As part of HMS Albion’s preparation for sailing the crew was tested for Covid and a very small number of personnel tested positive.

‘Those affected have been landed and are working with the NHS Test and Trace system to ensure the virus does not spread further.

‘The remaining crew are following appropriate health guidelines and will continue to quarantine until safe to deploy.’

Devonport-based Albion left Plymouth’s naval base on Tuesday afternoon.

Every member of the crew was tested as part of preparations for the deployment, with the navy saying Albion had ‘no suspected or confirmed cases’ of Covid-19 on Tuesday.

However, news broke last night the virus had hit the 19,560-tonne warship.

The 577ft vessel is now understood to be quarantining off the Plymouth coast.

The infection comes just days after HMS Queen Elizabeth’s departure was postponed for two days following a similar small outbreak.

Fewer than 10 of the huge aircraft carrier’s 1,000-strong crew reportedly tested positive for coronavirus on Monday.

It was the second time the ship had been hit by Covid-19, with two sailors testing positive for the virus in April.

All those infected in the latest outbreak have been placed in quarantine on barracks, while those who may have contact with their stricken crew mates are now in strict isolation.

SEE ALSO: Call for HMS Queen Elizabeth to be sent to South China Sea on maiden mission

The 65,000-tonne aircraft carrier eventually left Portsmouth last night for a brief stint of training at sea.

HMS Albion, which is described as the navy’s ‘Swiss Army knife’, is capable of carrying out everything from amphibious assaults and raids, to humanitarian relief.

The vessel has space to accommodate an extra 400 Royal Marines while her expansive loading dock can carry an array of vehicles and supplies.

HMS Queen Elizabeth is due back to Portsmouth next week, where she will resupply, before deploying on a multinational training exercise for several weeks.

It will see her embarking a number of American and British F-35B stealth jets.

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