Segun Akanni, Toronto, Canada 
Reported by Abimbola Obatayo, Ibadan
…says residents can report suspected COVID-19 patients
The Oyo State Government has released a number and a service code for pre-COVID-19 screening in the State, urging residents to dial the code or the number and follow the procedure to determine whether or not they need to get tested for the novel Coronavirus.
The platform for the service code and number, which were both donated by Interswitch, are: (service code) *723*19*6#; and (number) 014400028.
A statement signed by the Chief Press Secretary to Governor Seyi Makinde, Mr. Taiwo Adisa, indicated that the number and service code platforms offer preliminary screening opportunities to determine who needs to get tested for COVID-19.
The statement added that the two platforms, which offer services in English, Yoruba and Pidgin English, can also be used to report a suspected COVID-19 case.
According to the release, “the Oyo State Government has gone a step further in its fight against the novel Coronavirus.
The Oyo State Task Force on COVID-19 has introduced the deployment of technology in its fight against the virus by introducing a service code and a phone number.
“The service code is *723*19*6# while the phone number is 014400028. When dialled, the platforms will request for information on the caller’s/dialler’s current health status including whether he/she is currently experiencing any of the symptoms of COVID-19. It will also request for the individual’s name and present local government of residence.
“If a caller or dialler correctly fills in the information on his or her health situation and medical history, the application will classify such individual as high or low risk, depending on the information provided.
“When a dialler does not need further testing for COVID-19, the application, at that point, will classify such person as low risk and advise him/her to continue to stay safe by adhering to precautionary guidelines.
“In the case of an individual with information that matches those with COVID-19 symptoms, the application will classify the caller as high risk and direct such person to self-isolate, cough into elbows, wash/sanitise hands regularly, avoid touching mouth, nose or face and engage in healthy diet.”
Adisa urged residents of the state to avail themselves the opportunity of the phone number and service code, while advising them to continue to adhere to the precautionary measures issued by the COVID-19 Task Force.
