Hunter New England Health confirmed on Monday it was supporting three people with COVID-19, who all visited Oakvale Winery in Pokolbin between March 4-13.

The patients are a man in his 20s and a man in his 60s, who are both in home isolation and doing well, and a woman in her 60s who is well but has been admitted to John Hunter Hospital as a precaution.

"Hunter New England Health has contacted close contacts of the three new cases, who have also been asked to self-isolate for 14 days from last contact. They will be contacted every day by the public health unit to check that they are well and any contact who develops COVID-19 symptoms will be tested for the infection," public health physician Dr David Durrheim said.

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"The male in his 20s works in tourism and was likely exposed through interaction with an international tour group.

"As a precaution, anyone who visited Oakvale Winery between [March 4-13] should be alert for fever or respiratory symptoms. There is no ongoing risk for visitors to Oakvale Wines."

But locals are being urged not to present themselves to the Barber Street Practice or Northwest Family Medical if they have these symptoms.

Dr Chris Gittoes of Northwest Family Medical said doing so would put sick or elderly people at risk, as they do not have the facilities to isolate or test potential virus carriers.

"We can't comply with the testing requirements, we don't have the resources or facilities to do that, and we can't do it in a way that's safe for other patients," Dr Gittoes said.

"It's a serious international pandemic and people need to know what they need to do and what we need to do to avoid it."

The local GP said if residents had COVID-19 symptoms, they should contact NSW Public Health on 1300 066 055 or the coronavirus hotline on 1800 020 080.

They should do this before they present themselves to hospital.

Dr Gittoes said everyone should also be listening to "health advice and government guidelines".

"Hand washing is really important and self-isolating if you think you're at risk or if you have any of those symptoms," he told the NVI.

"People need to be aware of it, take appropriate precautions, don't panic, look after each other and keep ears and eyes open for good information, not the first thing they find on the internet."

It's only a matter of time before the virus reached Gunnedah, he said.

"We haven't seen a problem here in Gunnedah but this is more a preparation. It will come, there's nothing surer," Dr Gittoes said.

"I think we'll be a bit better off in country towns than big cities but I have no evidence to support that, just hope."

Residents are reminded that the World Health Organisation's list of common signs of infection include respiratory symptoms, fever, cough, shortness of breath and breathing difficulties.