Two police officers in hospital after contracting COVID-19 at protests

Published by ABC News on 7 October 2021

The Victorian Police Association said a number of officers who were on duty during last month's violent protests in Melbourne had tested positive to COVID-19.

The association said one officer from an inner-Melbourne station who was taken to hospital this morning is currently receiving support to breathe.

Police Association secretary Wayne Gatt said about 25 members from the station were linked to the positive case and were isolating.

Mr Gatt said the officers from the same station had been stood down but had been tested multiple times and returned negative results.

“As case numbers come up and our members continue to operate freely in the community, they are at greater risk than many other workers,” Mr Gatt said.

The association would not confirm if any of those officers had been vaccinated.

Mr Gatt said the association was working to make sure officers were protected at work.

"We don't want them in hospital. We want them out on the front line so they continue to support the community," he said.