According to a BHS press released issued on Thursday afternoon, the student returned a positive test this week and is now recovering at home.

Tracing is under way to determine who the student has come in contact with.

Where the student is from has not been released.

In a statement, BHS said it was confident that all procedures had been followed.

"Contact tracing with staff, patients and other students is underway," the statement read.

"All patients on the ward deemed a close contact of the student will be tested as a precaution, and their families are being contacted.

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"Additionally, all close contacts will be tested and must quarantine for 14 days from their last exposure to the student.

"The student was on placement after the implementation of PPE restrictions for all staff, and was required to wear a mask and follow infection control procedures at all times while on site.

"Ballarat Health Services is implementing further infection control processes under advice from our infection prevention and control specialists."

There have not been any visitors allowed at Ballarat Health Services for more than two weeks.

"The welfare of our community, staff, patients, residents, and clients continues to be at the forefront of our response to COVID-19," the statement continued.

"Students make a valuable contribution to Ballarat Health Services, and continuity of student clinical placements is important to the function of our health system.

"Ballarat Health Services works with universities and follows the Department of Health and Human Services guidelines to ensure clinical student placements continue where it is safe to do so.

"We continue to enforce strict infection prevention and control measures, along with visitor restrictions and screening at all Ballarat Health Services sites."

There are currently two people being treated at hospital in Ballarat and nine being treated at home.

The latest Ballarat figures are due to be released later this afternoon. This particular case will unlikely have been reflected in yesterday's figures.

Everyone who feels even the slightest cold or flu-like symptom must assume they have the virus until a test result proves otherwise. Anybody with symptoms or awaiting a result should self-isolate at home.

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