PARIS

France’s Defense Ministry reported on Thursday that one-third of the sailors on board the Charles-de-Gaulle aircraft carrier had tested positive for coronavirus.

The flagship carrier houses 2,000 sailors, 1,767 of whom have been screened thus far. Out of those, 668 have tested positive for the virus. The crew includes those who work on the escort vessels that accompany the Charles-de-Gaulle.

This follows the action last week when the ship turned around mid-deployment in the Atlantic.

The ministry said that 31 of the sailors were being treated in hospital with one in intensive care. The remaining sailors who exhibit symptoms

Read more: Sailors on French aircraft carrier COVID-19 positive