Stawell's leaders will map out how to stop the spread of the virus, support people isolated on their own at home if quarantined and the safest methods of testing and on-going care.

The World Health Organisation declared the COVID-19 strain of coronavirus was at pandemic levels on Thursday morning.

Stawell Regional Health chief executive Kate Pryde said while the meeting with community leaders was a standard process in this situation, the region had started discussions earlier rather than wait to be told

"We know this is what we need to do," she said.

"We're starting early. We want to all work together and create a whole-of-community approach which I believe will get Stawell through this.

"Stawell isn't going to miss out. We need to teach our community what isolation means, not only for them but for others within their community."

Ms Pryde said some of the information to be passed along to the community could be as simple as being aware that if someone is by themselves at home in isolation, you can safely drop a casserole off on the doorstep and you will be OK.

"We need to look at complications like how are we going to stop the spread and how are we going to look after each other," she said.

"There could be a lot of people in their own homes for a period of time all across the region.

"That's a big piece of the message we need to get out there. It's early days. I don't know what everything is going to look like - I just know we need to start talking now to get things in place."

Ms Pryde said the best advice about coronavirus was available through the helpline on 1800 675 398.

"They will listen to your story and will advise of what the next steps are," she said.

"Anyone that needs testing, the department is ringing us. It sounds bizarre but the best practice of testing is not to go into the clinic to be tested.

"We've set up a system where they ring when they arrive, remain in their car and the doctor goes out in full PPE and assess and test if required."

Ms Pryde said while some people in the region had been tested for the virus, no one had returned a positive test.

"The health department has been very open and honest about where the cases are confirmed," she said.

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