Patient in hospital with virus hours after protest

HUNDREDS of protesters have been urged to get tested after a fellow rioter landed in hospital with Covid-19.

The Department of Health on Thursday night confirmed a person who attended Wednesday’s anti-lockdown, antivaccine mandate protests had tested positive to the virus.

“Public health investigations are under way,” a department spokeswoman said.

“We are urging protesters to get tested should they experience Covid-like symptoms, no matter how mild.”

It is not yet known if the case will force thousands of police officers deployed to control the mob into isolation, but leading epidemiologists have warned the out-ofcontrol riots could fast become a superspreading event.

It comes as Victoria’s Covid-19 cases spiked to record numbers.

The state on Thursday reported 766 local infections - a significant jump from 628 on Wednesday.

It is the highest daily figure since the catastrophic second wave, where 725 cases - later reclassified to 687 - was recorded in early August.

Former World Health Organisation epidemiologist Professor Adrian Esterman said protests in Melbourne may have contributed to Thursday’s sharp spike.

“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.”