A doctor is among at least a dozen healthcare workers who have tested positive to COVID-19 in the past week, a situation described by the Australasian College of Emergency Medicine as “deeply concerning”.

News that a doctor in one of the acute medical teams at St Vincent’s Hospital in Melbourne has the infection sparked quarantine measures for 15 staff at the hospital.

ACEM president Dr John Bonning said it was “deeply concerning” that healthcare workers were being diagnosed with COVID-19 despite being aware of the risks they face.

“Any case of healthcare workers contracting COVID-19 is deeply concerning and our thoughts are with affected colleagues in Victoria, who are doing an incredible job under very difficult circumstances,” Dr Bonning said.