It comes after Greater Bendigo recorded 91 new coronavirus cases on Wednesday. There are 176 active cases in the region.

A Bendigo Health spokesperson said the emergency department was already managing the spike in cases.

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It is expected that the number of COVID-positive people requiring hospitalisation will increase in the coming days.

"It is vital we preserve our ability to care for the most urgent cases and those who need admission to hospital," the spokesperson said.

"These are the people who are breathless at rest or on minor exertion, who are having trouble standing up, or who are otherwise not coping with their symptoms.

"The emergency department is not a COVID-19 testing clinic."

Bendigo Health has urged people to not attend the emergency department for COVID-related issues if:

The public message came after Bendigo's McLaren Street testing site reached capacity before its scheduled opening time on Wednesday.

The clinic reopened to additional people on Wednesday afternoon.

For more information about what to do you if are COVID-positive, visit: coronavirus.vic.gov.au/checklist

To see how to isolate and manage symptoms at home safely, and what you should do if they worsen, visit: coronavirus.vic.gov.au/managing-covid-19-home

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