Portland police in self-isolation will have to be tested a second time before returning to active duty

A third police officer has received a negative coronavirus test after a drug raid at a Portland address last week.

Eight police officers from Portland, Warrnambool and Hamilton stations executed a search warrant at the home on Wednesday last week.

Three of those officers went into self-isolation after it was found that someone associated with that address had tested positive to COVID-19.

Two officers received negative test results on Wednesday and the third officer was given the all-clear on Thursday morning.

The self-isolated police officers will be tested again on their 11th or 12th day in quarantine, and have to return negative results again, before being able to be cleared to return to active duty.

At 8.30am: The first of the police officers involved in a Portland drug raid have returned negative results for coronavirus.

Eight police officers from Portland, Warrnambool and Hamilton executed a search warrant at a residential address in Portland on Wednesday last week.

At least three of those officers went into self-isolation after it was found that someone associated with that address had tested positive to COVID-19.

It's understood that the majority of the police tested have now returned negative test results to the virus.

There is currently a review of the execution of that warrant and whether all necessary precautions were taken by the officers involved.

It is understood that some police officers may not have been wearing eye coverings, while they were wearing other personal protective equipment, which excluded them from being rated as low risk and being able to return to active duty.

Police are trained in dealing with people who have infectious diseases.

It's understood the self-isolated police officers will be tested again on their 11th or 12th day in quarantine, and have to return negative results again, before being able to return to active duty.

Monday, 4pm: Police sources have revealed eight officers were involved in the drug raid on Wednesday last week at a Portland address.

It is understood at least three of those officers are now in isolation waiting for the results of coronavirus tests.

There is currently a review of the execution of that warrant and whether all necessary precautions were taken by the officers involved.

Victoria Police confirmed a small number of police have been placed into quarantine as a precaution.

"On 29 July, police from Portland, Warrnambool and Hamilton executed a search warrant at a residential address in Portland," the statement read.

"Following the execution of this warrant, police were notified that two people who normally reside at the address have tested positive for coronavirus.

"For operational reasons, we do not provide numbers on how many police officers are on unplanned leave, including those currently in quarantine as a precautionary measure who may have come into close contact with positive cases. However, we can confirm in this case a small number of police have been placed into quarantine as a precaution.

"The community can be assured that Victoria Police's service delivery will remain unaffected during this time."

Earlier 9.45am: The Portland community is on high alert as police officers involved in a raid at a property last week are in isolation awaiting the results of coronavirus tests.

A police source said that someone associated with the property has since tested positive for COVID-19.

It's also understood that a number of businesses in Portland have closed their doors for two weeks.

Portland District Health confirmed two positive coronavirus test results were not linked to the existing outbreak in the town.

Hospital chief executive Chris Giles said the contract tracing was still being finalised, but it appeared to be unrelated to the outbreak in July.

"The two new cases are not linked to the existing outbreak," Ms Giles said.

"These two cases have a link elsewhere. There has been no other demonstration of COVID in the town so it appears to have come from somewhere else. We know Colac, Geelong and Melbourne have COVID and the contact tracing is trying to see if it can be tracked back to there.

"We are aware someone from outside of the region was a visitor to Portland and at the time they didn't know they were positive.

"There's a degree of concern in the community and rightly so."

Ms Giles said it was important to remain self-aware and vigilant of the virus.

"We can't assume it isn't around," she said.

"People have been in venues, and that means it would be really difficult to say where there has been potential transmission because I think these people have been everywhere.

"I know there will be businesses who had people in them and will be worried about them. If they are, close for the day, undertake a deep clean and take that worry out of your mind.

"Everyone needs to be careful and really look after themselves.

"Know the symptoms of coronavirus and if you have even the slightest symptom, get a test."

Portland Fever Clinic can be contacted on 5521 0387 to arrange a coronavirus test.

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