DOH, DFA launch 24/7 WeChat hotline for Filipinos in China

The Department of Health (DOH), in partnership with the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), has established a 24/7 WeChat hotline for Filipinos in China to provide health information and psychological support regarding the 2019 novel coronavirus acute respiratory disease (2019-nCoV ARD).

Filipinos in China can access the hotline by scanning a provided QR code with their WeChat app, where Filipino doctors, psychologists, and nurses trained on crisis intervention will respond to their queries and messages.

This initiative aims to address health-related queries about the 2019-nCoV ARD and offer psychological assistance amidst the growing health threat.

As of Monday, the novel coronavirus had killed 350 in China, where most of the over 11,000 infected are located.

The Philippines recorded its first fatality from the virus after an infected Chinese tourist died in Manila.

President Rodrigo Duterte has banned travelers from mainland China, Hong Kong, and Macau from entering the Philippines to prevent the spread of the infection.