France reports 50 coronavirus cases on aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle

Three sailors had been evacuated from the vessel to hospital in the Mediterranean port of Toulon as a “precaution”.

However, none of the crew who tested positive for Covid-19 and remained on board have suffered “worsening health” so far, the ministry added in a statement.

The origin of the virus was not yet known but all crew were now wearing face masks.

The defence ministry announced on Wednesday that France’s aircraft carrier would be brought home early from a deployment in the Atlantic after some crew members showed virus symptoms.

Those with symptoms had been placed in isolation, but none had signs of serious illness, it said.