Complacency and rule-breakers are the biggest threats to Ballarat's COVID-free status, according to Ballarat Health Services.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
But if the virus does re-emerge into the region, Ballarat Health Services' contact tracing team is honing their skills helping Shepparton health authorities contact-trace their current outbreak.
They also assisted contact tracing teams in Kilmore last week and Castlemaine in July when cases appeared in their towns.
"We feel like we have got plenty of practice and that's working quite well," said BHS director of acute operations Ben Kelly. "All of these episodes have honed our skills so contact tracing is something we have become pretty proficient in."
The ease of the virus' spread has become apparent in recent weeks after it was revealed the same truck driver that spread the disease in Kilmore had also spread it in Shepparton.
However, he never told authorities he had been to Shepparton, meaning the virus could have spread greatly since he visited on September 30.
"We could just as easily find ourselves in the situation that Shepparton and Kilmore have found themselves in if people are doing the wrong thing," Mr Kelly said.
"Our advice is to continue to follow the rules - the rules are our greatest defence against COVID-19.
"Don't be complacent, continue to observe good hand hygiene, wear a mask, keep social distancing - all these things we have been doing so well for so long the results speak for themselves."
There have been no new COVID-19 cases confirmed in the Ballarat region for 51 days, and no active cases for 36 days.
Mr Kelly said health services across the state had been working together to help with contact tracing with Ballarat tracers working remotely, calling contacts of the confirmed cases.
The size of the Ballarat contact tracing team varies depending on demand.
He said it was vital that people were open and transparent with contact tracers so the virus' spread could be curbed.
"As you imagine you start with that first person who has come into the frame, asking where they have been, what contacts they've had, and you get on the phone and keep ringing and asking the same questions - that's why it's so important that there's open and transparent information and no threat of consequences that they would feel they need to withhold information."
Ballarat's rapid response testing team could also be deployed to Shepparton to help test locals if the Department of Health and Human Services deem extra numbers are needed.
IN OTHER NEWS
"Our rapid response testing team is involved in industry testing - at Stawell on Wednesday, Nhill on Thursday and Bacchus Marsh on Friday but there's flexibility in that. We will move to where the most urgent need is and if that's Shepparton that's where we will go," Mr Kelly said.
The BHS-run testing clinic at Little Bridge Street closed earlier this month because of lack of demand.
"Lucas can handle the number of tests Ballarat requires at the moment, but if that changes and people have delays and waits for testing we would revisit those plans and make changes," Mr Kelly said.