Ballarat Health Services confirmed on Thursday afternoon it was treating four COVID-19 patients - two in intensive care and two in a stable condition.

BHS says eight people are being cared for at home, however Department of Health and Human Services only lists 11 active cases in Ballarat.

"Overall, the number of local positive cases has doubled over the past 10 days, highlighting the importance of the role that our community can take to be actively conscious of their physical environment and the steps that they can take to minimise their risk," BHS said in a statement.

"Ballarat Health Services stresses the importance of maintaining a 1.5m physical distance when in public or with people you do not live with.

"As part of our organisation-wide response to the COVID-19 outbreak in the region, Ballarat Health Services is enforcing physical distancing restrictions on site where possible. This includes putting in place limits on the number of people in a room, and limiting access to staff break areas."

One of the patients in the hospital is known to have come from the Bill Crawford Lodge, which is overseen by Ballarat Aged Care - itself part of BHS.

BHS, which said that all close contacts of the staff and residents of the cases linked to Ballarat Aged Care had been tested, released a statement yesterday:

"The increase of positive cases across our state today is a sign of how real and serious the threat to our community is. As the number of cases requiring care within our hospital also rises, we are enacting a range of operational measures to ensure quality of care and infection control remain at the highest level."

The health department increased Ballarat's total cases to 23 since the pandemic began - this can happen due to error or reclassification.

Two cases have been linked to Ballarat's Aboriginal community. It is unsure when two Aboriginal people tested positive and if they are currently active cases.

READ MORE: CONFIRMED CASES AND DEATHS IN VICTORIA - UPDATED DAILY

The Victorian Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation is strongly urging Aboriginal people to stay home where they can, to get tested, and to self-isolate at home for 14 days while waiting for test results.

VACCHO chief Jill Gallagher AO said support was available to Aboriginal communities after spikes of COVID-19 brought on anxiety and uncertainty - in not just metropolitan Melbourne but regional Victoria.

"While news of two confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Ballarat is really concerning, it is an important reminder to remain vigilant in looking after ourselves and our families to stop the slow of the spread of this virus, especially now since it's entered regional Victoria," she said in a statement.

"We know communities have been working hard to minimise any infections which has been quite successful to date, but we are entering a very challenging period. We are seeing alarming rates of community transmission - unlike the first lockdown period.

"To protect our loved ones and our Elder Aboriginal Communities, people must continue to stay home where they can, wear masks, practice good hygiene, practice physical distancing, and follow the limits for public gatherings.

"Go home straight after your test and self-isolate while you wait for the results. This usually takes 1-3 days. No heading to the shops or fishing with your mates until you have your results."

There are now 11 active cases in Ballarat, but there is also concern in nearby shires - such as Moorabool and Golden Plains - which continue to confirm new cases.

Moorabool, a region taking in southern Ballarat, Ballan and Bacchus Marsh, recorded one new active case in the past 24 hours, bringing it to six and nine in total.

The shire's mayor, David Edwards, told The Courier the potential for COVID-19 was always a very real concern with a large population of people commuting in and out - either to Ballarat or Melbourne.

Golden Plains, which stretches from Ballarat to Geelong and includes Smythesdale and Haddon, did not record a new infection yesterday but have eight active cases.

Hepburn has not had a new case in months.

The new figures come as Ballarat Community Health chief Sean Duffy and UFS chief Lynne McLennan plead to all residents - do better or we will end up like Melbourne with soaring infection numbers.

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.

Mr Duffy went on to say Ballarat people felt "bullet-proof" due to their age and fitness levels.

Premier Daniel Andrews said on Thursday morning while regional Victoria did not have to wear 'face coverings' like Melbourne and Mitchell Shire residents, "there are still rules and it's important to follow those rules" including social distancing.

"There are smaller numbers [in regional Victoria] - and some of those are connected to well known and well understood and contained outbreaks," he said.

"We are still seeing some cases in regional Victoria [but] we are not seeing the sort of growth in regional Victoria that would see us change our settings dramatically and that's pleasing.

READ MORE: WHAT ARE BALLARAT POLICE DOING TO PROTECT US FROM MELBOURNE LOCKDOWN BREACHERS?.

"On a number of occasions we have talked about the prospect of easing restrictions in regional Victoria at an appropriate time, but we simply won't have that option available to us until we see those numbers low - and in fact drive them down even further.

"To every regional Victorian - you've not got the same rules as metropolitan Melbourne and Mitchell Shire, but there are still rules and that's why it is important to follow them."

The state government will extend the coronavirus worker support payment - a one-off payment of $1500 is available to workers who are unable to work during their isolation, have no income during this period, and are not entitled to any paid sick leave, special pandemic leave or other income support.

The government will now extend the scheme to ensure that as soon as a person is tested, they will be eligible for a $300 support payment - as long as they meet the eligibility of the existing scheme.

Victorian Chamber of Commerce and Industry Chief Executive Paul Guerra said it would be a huge help to Victorians.

"We know it is hard for many workers at the moment who may be experiencing reduced shifts or hours due to the restrictions in place in Victoria and, if they don't have sick leave, losing the income of just one shift is more than they can afford," he said in a statement.

"This takes the pressure off those workers and businesses as there is no excuse to not get tested at the first sign of symptoms and isolate until the results are in.

"We're in for the fight of our lives in this Covid-19 battle and we all have to pull together and look out for each other. Getting tested when you have any symptoms is the right thing to do and protecting your co-workers and local community by isolating while you await your results should be automatic for everyone."

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