The French nuclear aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle, in which 50 sailors were officially tested positive for coronavirus, will arrive Sunday at Toulon, said the Defense Ministry, which will now organize quarantine personnel.
The building, which cruised in the Atlantic, is expected "in the afternoon" on Sunday, according to a statement from the ministry. The crews of the aircraft carrier, the on-board air group (GAN) - helicopters, Hawkeye and Rafale surveillance planes - and the frigate Chevalier Paul who accompanies them will be confined for 14 days "in military enclosures before reaching their homes".
The tests were only carried out on part of the crew
"Accommodation and food capacities will be put in place on naval and naval air bases, to ensure the best reception for sailors in the fortnight," said the ministry. Seafarers will be tested before returning to their homes and all buildings and aircraft will be disinfected "to enable them to recover their full operational capacity as soon as possible".
"It has never been done before, it is a huge job," said Navy spokesman, Captain Eric Lavault. The tests were only carried out on part of the Charles de Gaulle crew, but that of the frigate will also be confined. The press release also mentions "dozens of cases" on the aircraft carrier "and his escort".
The origin of the contamination of the aeronautical group not yet known
At the same time, the Somme supply vessel and the anti-submarine frigate La Motte-Picquet were to return to Brest, where the crews will be tested before their immediate future is determined. As for the GAN aircraft and their crews, they will rejoin their respective bases.
The origin of the contamination of the air-naval group is not yet known. He has not been in contact with an outside element since a stopover in Brest on March 15. It therefore took three weeks between this and the appearance of the first cases, beyond the fortnight usually used to prevent contagion.
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Friday, Eric Lavault had noted that the precautionary measures applicable at the time to the whole of the country had been respected. "I do not identify any error of assessment".
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Coronavirus: Questions posed by the potential Covid-19 epidemic on the aircraft carrier "Charles de Gaulle"
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