Craig Backman, a recently-resigned Victoria Police senior constable, addressed thousands of demonstrators outside parliament after dramatically quitting over vaccine mandates.
Angry demonstrators waved placards calling for the resignation of premier Daniel Andrews as they marched towards Parliament House in East Melbourne on Saturday.
State health departments confirmed the figures on Sunday morning, hours after angry protesters flooded Melbourne s CBD to rally against vaccine mandates.
About 200 protesters have gathered in Melbourne s CBD to rally against the vaccine mandate. Early reports suggest police have already made at least 12 arrests as tensions mount.