Melbourne Protestor Tests Positive For Covid-19 And Sparks Fears Of Super Spreader Event

A protestor who took part in Wednesday's (September 22) anti-vaccine and anti-lockdown rally in Melbourne has tested positive for coronavirus.

The person is now being treated in hospital and their case will be reflected in today's (September 24) daily figures.

The Victorian Health Department is concerned the protest will now be a super spreader event.

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

Many of the hundreds of people who marched through Melbourne's CBD weren't wearing masks.

It's also unknown whether any of the dozens of police who were deployed to patrol the roving protest will have to isolate as a result of the positive case.

Former World Health ­Organisation epidemiologist Professor Adrian Esterman told the Herald Sun the rally will probably lead to more Covid-19 cases.

"With thousands of people there shouting, many of whom weren't wearing masks, I can almost guarantee there'd be at least a few infected people there," Prof Esterman said.

"It could well be that none of the infected people in the march are superspreaders, but you could be very unlucky that one of them was, and all of a sudden you're dealing with a really significant new outbreak."

It comes after Victoria announced yesterday (September 23) that the state had recorded 766 new infections of the virus, which is the highest single-day number since the pandemic began.

In addition to protestors not wearing masks, there were also reports of some demonstrators spitting on healthcare workers at Town Hall.

Premier Daniel Andrews said healthcare workers were allegedly being verbally and physically abused because they were giving out Covid-19 vaccines to people who had booked appointments.

"That's not called for, these people are doing the very best of work - they're vaccinating people for heaven's sake," he said.

"Why would you - as I'm told - be spitting on people that are doing that sort of work.

"That's ugly and uncalled for. If those people can be identified it is my understanding Victoria Police will deal with them."

Two vaccination hubs have been shut down as a result of the disgusting acts 'to ensure client and staff safety'.

Featured Image Credit: Joshua Preston/Alamy

Topics: Australia

Stewart Perrie

Stewart Perrie is a Trending Journalist at LADbible. His first job was as a newsreader and journalist at the award winning Sydney radio station, Macquarie Radio. He was solely responsible for the content broadcast on multiple stations across Australia when the MH17, Germanwings and AirAsia disasters unfolded. Stewart has covered the conflict in Syria for LADbible, interviewing a doctor on the front line, and has contributed to the hugely successful UOKM8 campaign.

@stewartperrie