A MILDURA doctor is urging people not to listen to "fake news" generated by social media regarding information about coronavirus COVID-19.
"There have been some fairly damaging posts on social media," Lime Medical Clinic's Dr John Dyson-Berry said on Monday.
"We just need accurate news and information and not Twitter feeds and Facebook feeds."
Dr Dyson-Berry said there were no confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Sunraysia as of Monday.
However, rumours were circulating a local doctor had tested positive for the virus and several people at a local hospital were in quarantine.
"It's totally untrue, it's fake news," he said.
"The answer is there are no cases."
Meanwhile, with the Victorian Government declaring a state of emergency on Monday, Lime Medical Clinic has stepped up its response to the coronavirus.
Staff held an emergency meeting on the weekend to determine the best way to proceed.
Dr Dyson-Berry said they had placed a "no entry zone" sign on the front door of the clinic and were screening patients at the side of the clinic.
"We're doing a COVID-19 questionnaire in terms of travel and symptoms," he said.
"We're also taking temperatures and if people pass that triage then they can come into the clinic. The people on front reception and on triage will be wearing protective gear, the face shields and the gloves and everything else."
Lime Medical Clinic is reducing the amount of people allowed into the clinic at one time.
"If there's more than two people per doctor in the clinic then they're asked to wait in the car or just wait away from the clinic and then their doctor will ring their mobile to bring them in," Dr Dyson-Berry said.
"The patients when they're in the clinic will be segregated so there will be distancing of a metre and a half."
Lime Medical Clinic will also be looking at how it administers the flu vaccine and has stopped its Saturday walk-in clinic, asking patients to book their appointments.
"You don't want a queue of people down the street, obviously," Dr Dyson-Berry said.
"We're going through our patient database for patients over 70 and we're looking at those patients that are booked, and those (appointments) will probably be changed to remote consults."
If you believe you have the coronavirus call your GP first.
For more information about coronavirus call 1800 675 398 or see www.dhhs.vic.gov.au/coronavirus.