Central Victorian shires with more than one active COVID-19 case are urging their communities to ensure they are follow correct information to help stay safe from the virus.
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Department of Health and Human Services data says Loddon Shire (2) and Macedon Ranges (10) are the only two shires in central Victoria with multiple active cases.
Loddon Shire chief executive Phil Pinyon said it was important people were able to access reliable information during the second wave of COVID-19 cases.
"There is a lot of information flying around - some reliable, some not," he said.
"Social media is not helping in some respect (but rather) elevating issues and concerns. It is a good thing to help people take precautions but sometimes the information conveyed is not terribly accurate."
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Mr Pinyon said providing the right amount of information regarding coronavirus cases was difficult.
"One of challenges is sorting out what information can be released, especially when you're in an environment where there is necessary confidentiality," he said.
"Confidentiality is really important in these situations. Everyone wants to know (more) so they can protect themselves and their families but there is a limit of what can be conveyed and what can't.
"(The safest thing) is to assume that the person you are dealing with has (coronavirus) and take precautions accordingly. Even if 990 times out of 1000, you're not dealing with someone carrying the virus."
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Macedon Ranges Shire Council mayor Janet Pearce said she had spoke with residents who were concerned about the shire being at a higher risk because of its proximity to metropolitan Melbourne.
"We just want to reassure everyone that council, every day, looks at the Department of Health and Human Services information, analyses it and looks at the risk (to the shire)," she said.
"It's a health issue, so we're respectful of the work DHHS and chief health officer are doing. They are leading they way and are the experts."
Cr Pearce said she also understood some people in the community would be concerned about sharing a border with the Victoria's lockdown areas.
"It's understandable that people might be concerned," she said. "We hope people from metropolitan areas and people (in the shire) respect what we are being directed to do."
