ISOLATION areas for coronavirus patients have been readied as part of Albury Wodonga Health's response to the spreading disease.
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The service's executive director of nursing and midwifery Sally Squire said preparations for dealing with the virus had been occurring for at least a month.
As part of those measures quarantine areas at Wodonga hospital are on standby for coronavirus cases.
"We have spaces in the hospital where we manage patients with communicable or infectious diseases on a fairly regular basis," Ms Squire said.
However, in the first instance the recommendation to those with fears is not to attend Albury or Wodonga hospitals.
"We would encourage people who think that they are concerned about their symptoms and perhaps have travelled away to give their GP a call or the hospital a call and we will give them advice," Ms Squire said.
She said after analysing symptoms, and whether they met the case definition for coronavirus, testing would occur.
Ms Squire could not say how many people had contacted the health service but noted there "is definitely a raised awareness in the community".
"The really clear message from us is that we have been doing a lot of work on this and are prepared for any patients that may be presented and we can manage them here," she said.
Albury Wodonga Health has written to general practitioners across the Twin Cities advising them on how to manage potential coronavirus patients.
Meanwhile, Charles Sturt University, which has hubs at Thurgoona and Wangaratta, has flagged shutting down campuses over the coronavirus.
"In the event of an outbreak, we are prepared for additional cleaning, self-isolation and to close residences, or if necessary an entire campus," vice-chancellor Andrew Vann said.
"Our staff will also have ability to work from home.
"Critical operations have continuity plans to enable us to continue operations should an outbreak occur."
Professor Vann said the school has also looked at the potential for residences to be required by health services.
CSU also has deployed more sanitiser units.
La Trobe University, which has a campus in Wodonga, would not say if it would close down grounds.
"In the situation of a confirmed COVID-19 case on a La Trobe campus, we would take advice from the relevant Department of Health on the best mechanism to manage the particular situation," a spokeswoman said.
"La Trobe University is planning for a comprehensive pandemic response, as many organisations are at present."
