Bendigo Health chief executive Peter Faulkner said he did not want anyone to neglect their own health out of fear of COVID-19 at the hospital.

Numbers have dropped at Bendigo Health's emergency department during Victoria's latest outbreak of COVID-19.

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Mr Faulkner said the hospital was a safe place, with strong infection control procedures.

He said the fact that no COVID-19 patients treated at the hospital had infected other patients or staff was evidence of this.

Mr Faulkner said Bendigo Health wanted anyone who was unwell, or psychologically distressed, to reach out and seek help.

"We don't want people to be neglecting their own health needs for fear of coming to the hospital," Mr Faulkner said.

"We really encourage people that if they need to attend the hospital for any reason, the emergency department is open 24/7.

"They shouldn't hesitate to come, and they shouldn't have any fear related to COVID-disease, by coming to the hospital."

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Mr Faulkner said presentations had dropped by about 10 to 15 per cent at Bendigo's emergency department during Victoria's second wave.

He said the absence of sporting injuries and drops in road trauma in part accounted for lower numbers.

Mr Faulkner said the risk was people would put off treatment for apparently mild symptoms. But he said early diagnosis meant earlier treatment and better outcomes.

Bendigo health practitioners last week urged residents to continue visiting their general practitioner if needed, saying avoiding appointments could put their health at risk.

It came after some GP clinics reported a drop in patient numbers.

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