Police forced into isolation after Melbourne protester contracts virus

A number of Victoria Police officers have been forced into isolation after a protester tested positive to COVID-19.

Victoria Police in a statement confirmed a small number of officers who attended the construction workers freedom rally on September 22 had been instructed to get tested and isolate after the case emerged.

"For operational reasons, numbers will not be provided on how many officers were placed into quarantine as a precautionary measure," the statement read.

LIVE UPDATES: Victoria misses vaccine target

"Victoria Police's priority first and foremost is to ensure the safety of its people and the community.

"The community can be assured that service delivery to the public will remain unaffected during this time."

There are fears Melbourne's protests could become a super-spreader event following the positive case.

The Department of Health last night confirmed that a person who attended the protests in Melbourne's CBD on Wednesday is being treated for the virus.

A department spokesperson said public health investigations were underway and has urged anyone who attended the protests and experienced a COVID-19 symptom should get tested immediately.

READ MORE: Victoria records 733 virus cases, warning for grand final weekend

"We are urging protestors to get tested should they experience COVID-like symptoms, no matter how mild," the spokesperson said.

The case of COVID-19 has been included in this morning's case numbers.

Health Minister Martin Foley could not provide any further details about the positive infection other than that the "person is so unwell they had to be hospitalised".

He said the protester would be treated with the "same level of high care" as any other person in hospital.

"To pretend that something doesn't exist and then for that very thing to put you in hospital is a message loud and clear that protesting against COVID-19 is futile."

Infectious diseases expert Robert Booy told Today the protests had all the makings of a super-spreading gathering.

"Crowding, running, shouting. Many without masks. Most unvaccinated," Professor Booy said.

"There is all the ingredients, apart from the fact they have got the ventilation of being outside, but all the other ingredients of a real problem and a spreading event."

Victoria's Chief Health Officer Professor Brett Sutton today slammed the protests as an "insult to every healthcare worker".

"They think that everything will be solved by taking a horse deworming tablet that gives you the runs and puts some people in hospital," he said.

"They are literally in a fantasy world ... let's not pretend that these are otherwise rational individuals.

"Whether or not this is a super-spreader event, we will see a picture of it in a couple of week's time."

Up to 1000 protesters took the streets of Melbourne's CBD on Wednesday, when the positive case attended, after thousands gathered in the city to protest on Tuesday.

Victoria Police arrested 215 people on Wednesday and made a further 92 arrests yesterday, despite a far quieter and more relaxed day of demonstrations.

It marked the fourth day of protests over a push to scrap mandatory COVID-19 vaccinations for the construction industry and more demonstrations are expected today.

The protests yesterday forced two vaccination hubs to close after workers were spat on and abused the day before.

Melbourne Lord Mayor Sally Capp condemned the attacks on health workers and police.

"It has been a disgrace, their behaviour is disgusting," she told Today.

"They are rioters. They are not protesters.

"They don't have a cause other than their own self-interest."

It comes after Victoria recorded its highest ever daily tally of COVID-19 cases yesterday, with 766 new infections.

READ MORE: Premier condemns protests in Melbourne CBD

On Tuesday, Victoria Police Chief Commissioner Patton said the thousands of "selfish individuals" who protested had all placed themselves and others at risk of contracting COVID-19.

Premier Daniel Andrews also condemned protesters who breached the stay-at-home directions.

"We have come too far to turn back now. Please spare a thought for our healthcare workers who are working such long hours looking after patients, many who are struggling to breathe," Mr Andrews said.

Victorian nurses have also issued stern words to the thousands who have protested in Melbourne's CBD, telling the protesters "to stop thinking only of themselves".