Forty Personnel Isolating At AFC Harrogate After Testing Positive For COVID-19

The Army Foundation College in Harrogate has been affected by an outbreak of coronavirus.

The MOD has confirmed that fewer than 40 personnel are currently isolating after receiving a positive result from a COVID-19 test.

A spokesperson added: "None of these individuals currently require medical treatment and it is incorrect to suggest we are not coping with the situation.

“The British Army takes the health and wellbeing of our personnel very seriously and have been providing lateral flow testing, robust social distancing and hygiene measures in place to protect personnel and prevent further infections.”

The statement was in response to a letter sent to Defence Secretary Ben Wallace from the Labour Party, believing that there were more than 100 cases and asking for assurance that the proper steps were being taken to get the situation under control.

The letter from Stephen Morgan, the Shadow Armed Forces Minister, said: "This outbreak poses a clear risk to both trainees and staff on the site."

The shadow minister also asked for clarity on the plan to ensure that those who have completed training and are due to be deployed across the country and around the world do not contribute to the spread of the virus.

He also asked what steps were being taken to protect the 300 incoming trainees due to replace them.

Junior soldiers returning to training in January, following the Christmas break, arrived back at the college in staggered groups and have been tested for COVID twice using lateral flow tests identifying asymptomatic carriers.

As soon as a junior soldier shows symptoms, they are isolated until tested.

COVID-positive personnel are isolated in a purpose-built 96-bed accommodation unit for the Government mandated period of time.