The French aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle has registered 50 cases of novel coronavirus among the crew, the armed forces ministry said on Friday, reports The Straits Times.
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 members 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.
The ship, which can transport about 2,000 sailors, had been preparing to return to the Mediterranean.
"It was decided to bring forward its return to Toulon, initially scheduled for April 23rd," the statement said.
Read more of this AFP report published by The Straits Times.