Wimmera Health Care Group has announced "heavy" restrictions on visitation as the "threat of coronavirus to the region draws closer".
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On Thursday the government confirmed the first cases in the state outside of Melbourne, with five recorded in regional areas. There were three cases in Geelong, one in Ballarat and one in the La Trobe Valley.
Visitors to Wimmera Base Hospital and Dimboola Hospital have been limited to two people per patient and visiting hours have tightened to 5-7pm daily. Children under 16 years of age will not be allowed to enter either campus.
The main entrance will be monitored to enforce the restrictions and all other entrances have been shut down.
WHCG CEO Catherine Morley said the restrictions were needed to help keep patients and team members as safe as possible during the COVID-19 pandemic.
"This decision is going to be tough on a lot of people who have loved ones in care right now," she said. "But we have a duty of care to keep the community as safe as we possibly can through what is going to be a very difficult period.
"We are relying on the Department of Health and Human Services as our sole source of accurate information and we will support our Infection Control team to make the best decisions for our community."
Ms Morley said there would be minimal flexibility to the restrictions.
"Where family members have been called in to meet with their doctor or there are extreme circumstances, we will allow some flexibility," she said. "But it is crucial that restrictions are adhered to.
"We are going to do whatever we can to lessen the spread of infection because that's how we will save lives and keep as many people from getting sick as possible.
WHCG opened a COVID-19 assessment clinic on Thursday and several people were assessed on the first day.
The Wimmera is yet to have a confirmed coronavirus case but Ms Morley said it was only a matter of time before that would change.
"It's inevitable but what's reassuring for us is the knowledge that we have planned and prepared as well as we possibly could and we are all up to the challenge."
The Arapiles building will remain open to allied health patients at this stage.
All WHCG aged care facilities will be closed to all visitors from the public from Monday.
Minister for Aged Care and Senior Australians Senator Richard Colbeck said the tough measures were the best way of protecting older and vulnerable Australians in care.
"None of this is easy, but we are facing an extraordinary health challenge and we need to work together to protect the Australians most vulnerable to COVID-19," he said, "We know the risk of serious illness and death increases with age.
"There is currently no vaccine so preventing exposure is the single most important step we can take."
Minister Colbeck said aged care providers would be asked to ensure video calls are available to all residents to enable them to stay in contact with their loved ones.
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Coronavirus coverage
Eliza Berlage
Eliza Berlage made the move to Horsham to report for the Wimmera Mail-Times in October 2019. Originally from Sydney, she has a sociology background and spent two years working in the press gallery in Canberra.
Eliza Berlage made the move to Horsham to report for the Wimmera Mail-Times in October 2019. Originally from Sydney, she has a sociology background and spent two years working in the press gallery in Canberra.
