Dozens of protesters gathered outside the Park Hotel in Carlton to demand the release of refugees inside, some of whom have contracted COVID-19.
The Refugee Action Coalition said another person tested positive today, bringing the total number of positive cases among the asylum seekers to 16.
SBS News has contacted the Australian Border Force to confirm the new case.
On Friday, the ABF confirmed that one-third of asylum seekers at the Park Hotel - 15 out of 46 - had tested positive for coronavirus.
One of the asylum seekers inside the Park Hotel spoke to protesters via a phone, amplified through a megaphone, saying stress levels had escalated since the COVID-19 outbreak on Sunday.
"Get us free out of here, we didn't do anything wrong. We just came here for medical treatment, we were asking for safety place and they are punishing us for no reason," he said.
"They put us under mental pressure which is really unsafe for us in this situation."
Protesters held signs urging the release of asylum seekers detained inside the Park Hotel.
Refugee advocates wave to people inside the Park Hotel in Carlton. Source: AAP
Refugee Action Collective spokesperson Chris Breen said the asylum seekers should be transferred to hospital or to regular hotel quarantine.
"This is reckless indifference to the lives refugee's situation. Our concern is that the rest of the refugees are not safe inside the hotel. It's a sealed incubator and they can't open the windows," he said.
Ian Rintoul from the Refugee Action Coalition said there are issues with medical services in the hotel.
“The medical supervision is inadequate. One more nurse has been employed by Border Force, but even two nurses working from 8am until 4pm for 45 people and 16 COVID-positive cases is worse than a joke. “
One asylum seeker is being treated for COVID-19 in hospital.
In a on Friday, the ABF said health care is being provided for detainees, including testing and quarantine where positive COVID-19 cases are identified.
"Detainees who are unwell or show symptoms that include (but are not limited to) fever, cough, fatigue, sore throat, headaches and/or shortness of breath are closely monitored by the detention health service provider staff and are tested, quarantined and provided appropriate medical care."
The ABF said vaccination has been offered to those in immigration detention since early August to those who consent to it.
Fifty-five percent of those detained in immigration detention are fully vaccinated and 62 per cent have received one vaccine dose.
