Community members are being urged to wear a mask in public and remain vigilant, as COVID-19 numbers continue to rise in the region and across the state.
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Bendigo Health's chief medical officer, Dr Diana Badcock, said people should consider masks to be part of the apparel they wore every day.
"Masks make a difference," Dr Badcock said.
Masks are not compulsory outside of metropolitan Melbourne and Mitchell Shire, but the current government advice states people should wear a mask or face covering out in public when it is difficult to maintain a distance of 1.5 metres from other people.
Dr Badcock said people in the community were right to be concerned about COVID-19.
"This is COVID, it's an ugly virus," Dr Badcock said.
"It's affecting people in an unpredictable way."
As of Monday there were 21 active cases of the illness across central Victoria, eight of which were in the City of Greater Bendigo.
This represented an increase of four new cases on the previous day.
Dr Badcock said some groups, particularly people aged 20 to 30, needed to be more worried about the virus than they were.
"Please, do be concerned, do be careful, and look out for each other," she said.
She said young people had not experienced disaster on such a scale before.
"I really want young people to think about what they're doing and why they're doing it," she said.
Chief nursing officer David Rosaia said Bendigo Health had a busy weekend of testing, with around 550 people coming through on Friday, 530 on Saturday, and about 350 on Sunday.
Mr Rosaia said the health service had improved the flow of traffic into the drive-through testing clinic, with the entrance now located through the Anne Caudle Centre gates, on Barnard Street.
Bendigo Health had performed more than 14,000 swabs since it began testing for COVID-19, Mr Rosaia said, with over 6000 done in July alone.
He said more than 2000 tests had taken place since the drive-through screening clinic began operating.
Dr Badcock said the most important thing a person could do after a COVID-19 test was isolate, urging people to think about those they cared about.
"Your close contacts must also alter their behaviour," she added.
Anyone in Greater Bendigo who needs food or other essential support while in isolation can call the COVID-19 helpline on 5434 6237.
Dr Badcock urged people in isolation to call that number, rather than leave their home for supplies.
Work is still underway to establish a dedicated, Bendigo-based regional public health team for case management and contact tracing.
Dr Badcock said she would travel to Geelong - where a team was already in operation - on Tuesday, to learn from their experience.
But she said a local contact tracing team was up and running, with Bendigo Health's infection control and infectious disease physicians working "around the clock" over the past week.
As of Monday, no one was being treated for COVID-19 at Bendigo Health.
On Sunday, Inglewood and Districts Health Service chief executive officer Tracey Wilson said a positive case of coronavirus identified in Loddon Shire was not one of their employees.
Ms Wilson said staff had worn face masks for all contact with patients and residents for 10 days, and IDHS locked down to visitors two weeks ago.
"So we are confident that our patients and residents are safe," she said.
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Natalie Croxon
Reporter at the Illawarra Mercury, mostly covering social affairs. Previously of the Bendigo Advertiser, Northern Daily Leader and Quirindi Advocate. Our Watch award winner.
Reporter at the Illawarra Mercury, mostly covering social affairs. Previously of the Bendigo Advertiser, Northern Daily Leader and Quirindi Advocate. Our Watch award winner.
