Illawarra hospitals have dealt with the threat of SARS and swine flu; they've handled casualties from natural disasters; and they're well prepared for a possible coronavirus pandemic.
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On Thursday the Illawarra Shoalhaven Local Health District's public health director moved to allay community concerns about the global spread of the virus - and the region's capacity to respond.
Curtis Gregory said while none of the four confirmed cases of COVID-19 in NSW had been in regional areas - it didn't mean these areas were unprepared.
In fact the ISLHD had "robust plans in place" for any escalation; plans that were flexible to deal with all levels of severity.
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"Fortunately we have many staff experienced in dealing with influenza outbreaks, and other public health threats including SARS and swine flu," Mr Gregory said.
"Many have also had to respond to natural disasters including floods and fires; and there's existing plans in place for the whole district - and individual hospitals - to effectively deal with these scenarios."
There's no vaccine for COVID-10 as yet, but simple hygiene measures - such as effective hand washing and coughing or sneezing into your elbow - are vital.
Specific planning for COVID-19 throughout the district has included looking at inpatient bed capacity - and if there are increased admissions appropriate beds have been identified in general wards and critical care areas.
The district has also conducted a stocktake of critical care equipment, and claims to have the ability to increase the numbers of appropriately skilled staff if required.
"There are extensive plans in place at a local, state and federal level - which are consistent and are monitored regularly," Mr Gregory said.
"So if the time comes and we need to escalate our response to COVID-19, then we are prepared to do so.
"At the moment we're concentrating on education and training for staff, as well as education for the wider community."
For while health services were strengthening their response to the COVID-19 threat; the public also had a role to play in prevention.
"The message is very similar to flu prevention," Mr Gregory said.
"There's no vaccine for COVID-10 as yet, but simple hygiene measures - such as effective hand washing and coughing or sneezing into your elbow - are vital.
"We'd also urge people to stay at home if they are sick, and to seek medical attention.
"If they have travelled through mainland China or other countries at risk and have a fever or other symptoms of acute respiratory illness, we'd ask them to call ahead to their GP.
"That will ensure the GP is able to protect themselves, and others at the surgery by using appropriate precautionary measures."
Coordinare's Illawarra Shoalhaven Clinical Council member, Nowra GP Dr Vicki McCartney, said GPs were receiving regular updates around COVID-19.
"We endeavour to talk to people - preferably by phone - to work out whether they need to be tested," she said.
"If they need to come into the surgery we'll ask them to wear a surgical mask and go in a separate room to protect other patients. Staff will also wear protective clothing, to protect themselves.
"We'll assess their level of illness to determine if they need acute care, or if they should self-isolate at home."
Dr McCartney said while the region was at the "wait and watch" stage - it was worth talking to family and friends about the situation.
"It's important to be aware, to take sensible infection control and talk to older or more vulnerable family members about what to do if they get sick - how they'd be able to avoid contact with other family members."
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NSW Health Minister Brad Hazzard and Chief Health Officer Dr Kerry Chant also asked individuals and businesses to prepare for a possible COVID-19 pandemic, converging with winter flu, in coming months.
Dr Chant said the emergence of community spread of COVID-19 in multiple countries outside mainland China demonstrated how quickly the virus could pass from person to person.
"We know from managing past pandemics, including influenza, that unless everyone is onboard from the start - government, business and the community - it makes our task that much harder," she said.
"We have been prudently planning and regularly reviewing everything from ED and intensive care capacity, staff capacity and training and supplies of critical medical equipment to streamlining how we manage patients with acute respiratory illness.
"While the few COVID-19 cases in NSW to date have been mild, the global spread of the virus, coupled with flu season fast approaching, means the situation for our hospitals could change quickly so we're asking everyone to plan now."
However Labor's health spokesman, Keira MP Ryan Park, said he was very concerned about the potential impacts the spread of the virus could have on local hospitals and other health facilities.
"Our local hospitals are already completely stretched and if there was to be an outbreak of the virus that impacted our region I would be very concerned about their ability to handle an influx of patients," he said.
"I think it's now time for the Minister to very clearly outline exactly what measures he is putting in place to deal with an outbreak particularly in large regional areas like the Illawarra.
"The community needs to have confidence that we are prepared for this but at the moment we are hearing very little from the minister about the measures he is putting in place."
