Hospital officials have urged the public to listen to Victoria's Department of Health and Human Services advice, as it is the "single source of truth" during the COVID-19 pandemic.
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Ballarat Health Services executive director of acute operations, Ben Kelly, told media on Friday the community was following hygiene guidelines and social distancing, but social media was "difficult to control".
"Let me say, our source of information is the Department of Health and Human Services, so we've got great confidence in that source of information," he said.
"Social media is very difficult to control, again, I take messages from our country and state's leaders about what you're reading.
"People will read those things, but really, the single source of truth, I would be going to the DHHS website for that information."
There is one confirmed case of COVID-19 in Ballarat, and the patient is in a stable condition isolated within the Ballarat Base Hospital.
As of Friday night, the DHHS daily update states 28 new cases were confirmed yesterday in Victoria, bringing the total number to 178.
Mr Kelly declined to give any further detail on the Ballarat case, citing patient confidentiality.
"One thing I'll say is the patient is stable, but I'm not going to compromise our principles of patient confidentiality - I'm sure if it was your mother or father you wouldn't want me to be talking about them in the public domain, and I won't be doing that in any circumstances," he said.
"The Department of Health are coordinating what they're calling contact tracing, and any places where COVID-19 cases have been, the department monitors those and makes contact with people who should be exercising strategies to mitigate any risk."
Mr Kelly added the health services plans were continually changing as the situation escalates, but maintained confidence in his team.
"Our staff are working in a accordance with our plans, made over many weeks, in preparation for these developments," he said.
"We anticipated we will have a positive COVID-19 cases in our region, we've implemented our plans to this point to manage the current circumstances."
These plans include greater restriction on non-essential people in the hospital.
"We do not want to have unnecessary gatherings of people, including in our waiting rooms, and therefore that may lead to some inconvenience around appointments, and delays," he said.
"We think that's responsible, and it's the right thing to do."
The fever clinic is separate to the emergency department, but Mr Kelly cautioned there are strict rules about who will be screened, in accordance with government guidelines - that is, potential cases in people who have been overseas, or have had contact with a known case.
"We have had people who have come forward and been disappointed when they haven't met the criteria," he said
"It's important to adhere to those guidelines - if they change, we'll continue to test people in accordance with those guidelines."
"That's what the clinic is set up to do, to reduce the likelihood of transmission of infection, that's why it's separate from the emergency department."
The hospital's supplies of masks and gloves are enough to meet demand, and staff will not be called back from leave, he said.
"We're very eager for our people to continue to have breaks, as we expect this may go for some months," he said.
"We need to be able to sustain our effort, so it's important that we look after our staff now."
Mr Kelly thanked the community for their support, but added the best way to help is to continue thoroughly washing hands, avoiding touching your face, maintain social distancing of at least 1.5 metres and not panicking.
"Listen to the advice, keep yourself informed, do not panic, BHS has a lot of plans in place and we're managing as best we can," he said.
"We'll continue to modify plans depending on how the pandemic plays out in our region."
For more information visit dhhs.vic.gov.au/novelcoronavirus or phone the Coronavirus Hotline on 1800 675 398 for advice if you are displaying symptoms.
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