Health Ministry partners with Twitter to answer questions related to COVID-19

The Union Health Ministry, in collaboration with Twitter, has launched a dedicated account to answer questions from Indian Twitter users related to COVID-19. The new Twitter account has been started with the handle COVID India Seva, which works on Twitter’s ‘Twitter Seva Platform’. Let us tell you that this platform uses a live query resolution service, in which people can get answers to their queries by directly tweeting on @CovidIndiaSeva. The description of this account reads “Official @MoHFW_INDIA Handle For COVID-19 Response”. Twitter has said that the service will enable the government to effectively interact with the public during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

people in india @CovidIndiaSeva The handle can be tweeted to seek guidance on steps to be taken if one has COVID-19 symptoms. Apart from this, one can also get more information about access to health services, measures implemented by the government, and many other topics. According to Twitter, people will only get answers to broad questions, meaning individual queries will not be dealt with through the new service.

Tweeting about the launch, Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan wrote, (translated) “Experts will share official public health information related to #COVID19, this handle will help create a direct channel for communication with Indian citizens. Post your Campaign Questions!”

@CovidIndiaSeva is answering the questions of Twitter users. NDTV journalist Akhilesh Sharma Asked, “The most pressing question on everyone’s mind is whether we are testing enough? “What about rapid antibody-based blood tests for COVID-affected areas?”

Answering the question, @CovidIndiaSeva answer Diya, (translated) “At present, 204 government laboratories and 86 private laboratories accredited by NABL are involved in the testing chain. The number of collection centers has also been increased to 16,000 centers across India. We have already tested 4,05,320 people.”

Twitter India is also working with various state governments in the country to improve COVID-19 response management. “It has extended support to the Government of Karnataka, Maharashtra, Jharkhand and Uttar Pradesh for setting up dedicated COVID-Response accounts.