Dozens more police in isolation after Broadmeadows detective tests positive to COVID-19
A temporary criminal investigation unit office is being set up in Melbourne's north after a detective tested positive to COVID-19, forcing a further 46 police officers into self-isolation.
The detective, who is based at Broadmeadows police station, was told they had tested positive for the virus on Friday and the building was promptly closed for deep cleaning.
Close to 200 police and protective service officers are now is self-isolation across the state after being identified as close contacts of positive COVID-19 cases at stations including Frankston, Werribee and 313 Spencer Street in the CBD.
Police patrolling Melbourne's lockdown zone on July 7.Credit:Getty Images
"Forty-six police officers and one Victoria Police employee from the [Broadmeadows] work area have been directed to self-isolate immediately and have been tested. All tests returned so far have returned negative to the coronavirus, however, all employees remain in self-isolation," a police spokeswoman said.
The officers will be re-tested at a later date as a precautionary measure.
"A temporary Hume CIU office has been established, and the community can be assured that service delivery will remain unaffected during this time, with resources to be used from other locations where needed," the spokeswoman said.
"Victoria Police will work closely with the Department of Health and Human Services as they conduct contact tracing to determine whether anyone else was in close contact with the police officer who tested positive for coronavirus."
About half a dozen police officers have tested positive to COVID-19 in recent weeks.
On Thursday, it was revealed an officer at the 313 Spencer Street police station had been diagnosed with COVID-19, shutting down part of the high-rise building and forcing a string of officers from specialist units to stand down pending testing.
Shepparton station outside Melbourne was closed for deep cleaning as a precaution after it was feared the infected officer from 313 Spencer Street may have visited the regional station.
A further 43 officers are in self-isolation after a positive case at Werribee station, while more than 60 have been stood down at Frankston police station after four officers contracted the virus.
The Police Association's Wayne Gatt said Victoria Police uses an exposure management process to mitigate the risk of infection spread.
But he warned officers would continue to contract the virus until the pandemic is over.
"PPE is available to our members, it's being worn by our members and its use is being encouraged by the employer," Mr Gatt said.
Police at a checkpoint on the Princes Freeway near Little River, just outside Melbourne.Credit:Luis Ascui
"Our members are on the frontline of this pandemic. They live and work in the community and some have, and others will, contract this virus before the pandemic is over.
"It’s about keeping the number of infections as small as possible."
Newly appointed Chief Commissioner Shane Patton told radio station 3AW on Thursday that the current number of police officers unable to work due to their close contact with virus carriers was worrying.
Police have since been advised to wear face masks within controlled Victoria Police workplaces where physical distancing cannot be maintained, even where there is no contact with the public.
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