Ballarat Community Health chief Sean Duffy and UFS chief Lynne McLennan say everyone who feels even the slightest cold or flu-like symptom must assume they have the virus until a test result proves otherwise. They say this means there is no choice but to self-isolate at home. Lives depend on it.

They were concerned at the anecdotal evidence in Ballarat suggesting people were neglecting isolation.

This come as Ballarat has its first intensive care case for the pandemic. Ballarat Health Services released a statement that three people were being treated in the Base Hospital on Wednesday. It was unclear the condition of the other two patients and whether these were the same infected people being treated from earlier this week.

Victoria recorded 484 new cases of coronavirus on Wednesday. Of the 3408 active cases in the state, 103 are in regional Victoria.

One new COVID-19 case was identified in City of Ballarat on Wednesday, taking the city's tally to 10 active cases. Golden Plains and Moorabool shires remains steady with eight and five active cases, but there are no confirmed details which areas in the large regions the infected persons live.

Premier Daniel Andrews said behaviour was a key driver in the virus' spread this past month. New figures reveal nine in 10 Victorians who tested positive for COVID-19 since July 7 did not self-isolate from the time they first feel symptoms to when they are tested. A further 53 per cent are not self-isolating while they wait for a test result.

"They've kept going shopping, they've kept going to work...at the height of their infectivity and they've continued on as usual," he said.

BCH chief Sean Duffy said there was an alarming degree of Ballarat people feeling "bullet-proof" due to their age and fitness levels.

Mr Duffy said it was plain and simple: isolate from the first potential signs of the virus; do not go to work, get a test, do not detour for last-minute shopping on the way to a test, avoid public transport, and try to isolate from others in your home.

"Ballarat has a huge opportunity to do it right. We have an opportunity to continue enjoying the opportunities we have got," Mr Duffy said.

"If people don't isolate or do not practice social distancing then we will end up in the same situation as Melbourne."

Mr Duffy also said a negative test result one day did not make a person immune from catching the virus the next day. He reiterated the importance of everyone in the community wearing masks, social distancing and ensuring hand hygiene.

BCH and UFS have worked to bring the average wait for a COVID-19 screening down to within 24 hours. The new BCH-led clinic in Little Bridge Street is testing beyond capacity while the UFS-led Lucas clinic has extended its hours, 8am-10pm on weekdays.

The average wait for test results is conservatively three days.

Nurses at both clinics make clear to self-isolate until a negative result.

UFS chief Lynne McLennan said the isolation period was at worst an inconvenience but the bottom line was you had to do it.

"You might feel you're doing all right, but what if you were positive and you infected a friend who might have a vulnerable family member?" Ms McLennan said.

"It's too late if you test positive and have to tell contact tracers everywhere you have been since you felt sick. You need to make some modifications in your some areas of your life, but it's to stop people dying."

Premier Andrews reiterated the $1500 hardship payment for people with no access to sick leave, so they need not chose between financial welfare of their family and the state's public health.

The grant is for time off due to COVID-19 illness, waiting for a test and isolation. To apply call: 1800 675 398.

Anyone with cold or flu-like symptoms is urged to book a COVID-19 test via Lucas, online ufs.com.au/test or phone 4311 1571. Or, via the Ballarat Community Health-led clinic in central Ballarat, phone 1800 054 172.

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