Royal Navy Covid cases cause spike in Plymouth
AN OUTBREAK of coronavirus on a Royal Navy ship is being partly blamed for a sharp rise in cases of the disease in Plymouth.
In the latest figures released by the Government yesterday, a further 33 positive Covid-19 cases were recorded. On Saturday, 226 cases were recorded.
Plymouth City Council published a graphic showing the city has now had 467 cases in the past seven days – while making the link with positive cases on board HMS Northumberland.
The council said: “There has been a large increase in the rate of Covid-19 cases in Plymouth over the last few days. This is due in part to tests related to HMS Northumberland, but cases are still rising. Please limit contact with others and be careful in following the hands, face, space guidance.”
Submarine hunter HMS Northumberland was forced to return to Devonport Naval Base last Wednesday, December 23, abandoning its mission patrolling UK waters.
A Royal Navy spokesman said: “Following a number of suspected Covid
cases on board HMS Northumberland, the crew are now following health guidelines and protocols to isolate.”
Fourteen deaths from coronavirus were recorded in Devon and Cornwall’s hospitals over Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Eleven deaths were at hospitals in the Royal Devon and Exeter NHS Foundation Trust, two at Northern Devon Healthcare NHS Trust and one at the Royal Cornwall.