CONTACT tracers are urging people in the Central Goldfields Shire to help them deal with the spread of COVID-19 as it arrives, even if it is by doing something as simple as staying calm.
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The Grampians Public Health Unit has confirmed there are two confirmed active cases in the shire, which includes Maryborough and nearby towns.
"We have been advised that KMART Maryborough has been exposed to a positive case," the health unit said.
"As all primary close contacts from the site have been contacted, the retail outlet has NOT been identified as a Tier 1 exposure site."
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The unit has urged people to stay calm and get tested if they have symptoms.
Unlike other parts of central Victoria, the shire has been relatively free of COVID-19 until now.
Health authorities in areas that have seen higher numbers during the current outbreak have also detected an increasing level of anxiety among members of their communities.
That includes in the Greater Bendigo area, where active case numbers are now above 200.
Earlier on Monday, Bendigo Health took to Facebook to reassure people worried about the spread of COVID-19 as restrictions ease across the state.
"Rising case numbers are a part of the transition into living with COVID-19. We are all going to come into contact with COVID-19 at some point and being at an exposure site will become part of our daily lives," it said.
"Our contact tracers are now focused on those people who test positive to COVID-19 or are primary close contacts of positive cases. Rest assured, you will be contacted if you are at high risk.
"Our high vaccination rates, mask wearing and hand hygiene will help us all navigate through this tricky period."
Health minister Martin Foley said it would be as important as ever that people kept getting tested as the state reopened.
"We want to make sure that those testing numbers stay as high as they possibly can," he told reporters on Monday.
But health authorities across the state have also found themselves sending out reminders that some demand is being driven by people who get tested needlessly, which can trigger long delays at some testing sites.
The Maryborough District Health Service offers appointments at testing clinics and people can contact them on 5461 0300 during business hours to make an appointment.
"Sorry, we can't accept drive-ups," it said.
"We have extended the operating hours at the testing clinic while we make arrangements for a pop-up clinic in Maryborough. There are also a number of testing clinic options in Ballarat that currently have capacity."
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