Geelong man who attended protests tests positive for Covid

Authorities have revealed a Geelong man who attended a protest against vaccines and lockdowns is among the region’s Covid cases.

Health authorities have revealed a local who attended a protest has coronavirus.

Victoria’s Covid commander Jeroen Weimar confirmed a man in his 30s from Geelong who was at a protest had tested positive.

Mr Weimar said it was unlikely the case had contracted Covid at the protest but would have been at the protest in his infectious period.

He said there was a “flurry of activity” occurring around the case.

“With 8000 cases in the community we are seeing community transmission as being where people pick it up,” he said.

Protesters form up into a large group as they return down the West Gate Bridge to a large unit of riot police on Tuesday. Aaron Francis/The Australian

“When you see such a large number of people all out on the street together, all doing the things which are in breach of directions … that is an absolute risk.

“If there are Covid positive people there, and chances are there will be, then this is where you’re going to see some spread.”

He said the man had been included in Friday’s Covid numbers.

Mr Weimar said at least two people who attended the protests had tested positive.

Protests railing against vaccines and lockdown have been occurring in Melbourne since early this week.

It was confirmed on Saturday the Surf Coast’s lockdown would end as planned on Sunday, and health authorities said on Sunday it would be joined by Greater Geelong.

Six new cases, which had all been linked to known cases, were reported for Greater Geelong on Sunday, and three on Saturday.

A new case was also reported for the Surf Coast on Sunday.

Originally published as Geelong man who attended protests tests positive for Covid