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Coronavirus: French aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle heads back to port after possible Covid-19 outbreak
- Around 40 sailors under medical observation
- The disclosure comes after a virus outbreak hit the US aircraft carrier Theodore Roosevelt, now at port in Guam
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France’s aircraft carrier will be brought home early from a deployment in the Atlantic after some crew members showed coronavirus symptoms, the defence ministry said on Wednesday.
About 40 sailors on the Charles de Gaulle are under medical observation, it said in a statement, and those with symptoms have been placed in isolation.
None have shown signs of serious illness.
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“As of today, a screening team with test means will be sent aboard the aircraft carrier to investigate the cases that have arisen and to hinder the spread of the virus on board the ship,” the ministry said.
The ship, which can transport about 2,000 sailors, had been deployed in the Atlantic as part of a Nato exercise after having participated in Operation Chammal that seeks to contain Islamic State group in Iraq and Syria. It was preparing for its return to the Mediterranean.
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“It was decided to bring forward its return to Toulon, initially scheduled for 23 April,” said the statement.
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