At least seven crew members aboard USNS Mercy medical ship test positive for coronavirus

Sailors transport a patient across the brow to be admitted aboard the hospital ship USNS Mercy.(Petty Officer 2nd Class Ryan Breeden/Getty Images)

Coronavirus has broken out aboard a California medical ship meant to clear hospital room for patients with COVID-19.

Seven medical treatment facility crew members on the USNS Mercy, docked in Los Angeles since late March, have tested positive for coronavirus, according to the San Diego Union-Tribune.

A crew member aboard the 1,000-bed Navy ship first tested positive last week.

The infected crew members are isolated of the Mercy, officials said.

The Navy did not immediately return a request for comment on what precautions are in place to stop the spread aboard the ship.

The outbreak on the USNS Mercy is not expected to affect the medical ship’s ability to take patients.