Catterick Garrison: Up to 25 Covid cases at Army base

Up to 25 cases of Covid-19 have been identified at the largest British Army garrison, a public health official has said.

Dr Lincoln Sargeant, director of public health for North Yorkshire, told the BBC Catterick Garrison has recorded the coronavirus cases in recent weeks.

The figures have been passed on to North Yorkshire County Council.

The Army said it was "taking appropriate measures to support individuals affected".

Dr Sargeant said: "We had about 25 cases associated with the military in the Catterick Garrison area.

"The military has their own process, so that's information that has been passed on to us.

'Adapted methods'

"I can't tell you the exact dates, but it would certainly be, I suggest, over the last month or so."

An Army spokesperson said: "We can confirm that a number of service personnel at Catterick Garrison are currently self-isolating following a small number of personnel testing positive for Covid-19.

"The health and wellbeing of our personnel remains a priority and, in line with government guidance, we are taking appropriate measures to support individuals affected."

Catterick Garrison is home to about 13,000 service personnel and civilians, with adapted methods of training brought in during lockdown to reduce the likelihood of infections.

New rules, such as 2m distancing during drills and splitting the soldiers into small teams, meant recruits were able to return to the military base.

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