The World Health Organisation (WHO) has initiated an accessible new tool to help answer questions for citizens about COVID-19.
The new messaging service, was developed in partnership with WhatsApp and Facebook as a public service providing the latest news and information on coronavirus. In addition to sharing information on symptoms and how people can protect themselves and others, it also provides up-to-date situation reports and case numbers to help government decision-makers protect the health of their populations.
To use the service, which is available in Arabic, English, French and Spanish,
Type “hi”, “hola”, “salut”, “ciao” or “مرحبا” which can activate a conversation to help help answer questions about COVID-19. Phone numbers doe the WHO WhatsApp Health Alert are available here:
Arabic
Send “مرحبا” to +41 22 501 70 23 on WhatsApp
English
Send “hi” to +41 79 893 18 92 on WhatsApp
French
Send “salut” to +41 22 501 72 98 on WhatsApp
Italian
Send “ciao” to +41 22 501 78 34 on WhatsApp
Spanish
Send “hola” to +41 22 501 76 90 on WhatsApp