BENDIGO Marketplace's inclusion in a list of "high risk" COVID-19 locations has been attributed to an infected worker.
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The confirmed case is understood to have been linked to the shopping centre on August 13.
The worker is not believed to have come into contact with anyone while they were at the site.
No close contacts are understood to have been identified.
Deep cleaning is believed to have occurred at the site on August 14. Authorities are believed to have been satisfied the potential risk was eliminated.
Authorities do not believe the Bendigo Marketplace poses any current risk of COVID-19 exposure to the public.
The case became public knowledge on Monday, the same day the state government committed to make more data about COVID-19 infections publicly available.
It is not believed to have been the subject of public health advice prior, despite an exposure period of August 12 - 13.
Neither the Victorian Government nor the Public Health Unit Bendigo detailed why the case was not shared with the public sooner, nor why it was listed among the "high risk locations".
"High risk locations" were released as part of a new section of the Department of Health and Human Services web pages devoted to COVID-19.
"The locations on this list are not a current risk to the public and you can visit them in line with current restrictions," the section read.
But it acknowledged a higher risk of exposure to COVID-19 at the locations listed during the exposure periods provided.
The department advised people to watch for COVID-19 symptoms if they had visited any of the locations listed during the specified timeframes, and to get tested immediately if symptoms developed.
Locations would remain on the list for 14 days from the most recent exposure.
Announcing the new data on Monday, Victorian Health Minister Jenny Mikakos said it would enable people to arm themselves with information to help make an assessment for themselves about any exposure they might have had to the virus.
The Public Health Unit Bendigo has had responsibility for contact tracing and clinical monitoring of infected people in the Loddon Mallee region since it was established on August 3.
Part of its responsibilities include publicising COVID-19 locations and potential risk.
"The Public Health Unit Bendigo will continue to issue public health advice to the community regarding places of concern," a Bendigo Health spokesperson said.
Bendigo Marketplace management said the health and safety of its tenants was its number one priority, and it had applied all recommendations made by Department of Health and Human Services.
"We will remain in contact and continue to apply all current and future recommendations," a spokesperson said.
Both the Member for Bendigo East, Jacinta Allan, and the Member for Bendigo West, Maree Edwards, were contacted for comment.
Emma D'Agostino
Covering general news and Bendigo council.
Covering general news and Bendigo council.
Elspeth Kernebone
Accident brought me to journalism, but every day convinces me again that strong media is more important than ever. After a starting off as the sole reporter in a tiny NSW town, I’m loving the teeming metropolis that is Bendigo. Focussed on health, business and education. Got a tip? Email elspeth.kernebone@bendigoadvertiser.com.au.
Accident brought me to journalism, but every day convinces me again that strong media is more important than ever. After a starting off as the sole reporter in a tiny NSW town, I’m loving the teeming metropolis that is Bendigo. Focussed on health, business and education. Got a tip? Email elspeth.kernebone@bendigoadvertiser.com.au.
