By A Staff Reporter, Kathmandu, Mar 23: Kathmandu Metropolitan City (KMC) had launched hotline telephone 1180, a complaint-hearing mechanism with an aim to provide information related to COVID-19 to general people.

Altogether 40 queries were registered within 12 hours.

Rishi Prasad Bhusal and Gyan Prasad Oli, health workers who man the hotline, informed that 40 people used the KMC hotline number from 5pm Sunday to 6am Monday to ask their queries.

Most of the calls were from out of valley like - Chitwan, Bardibas, Jumla, Banepa, Nepalgunj, Morang, Kapilvastu, Lamjung, Parsa, Birgunj, Dhangadi and Bara.

According to them, the most frequently asked queries are: ‘How many people were found infected with COVID-19 in Nepal? Is there confirmed COVID-19 case in Birgunj? Which soap is good to wash hands? Is mask compulsory? What are the symptoms of COVID-19? and what should be done in case a person is found infected?”   

General people also asked about the vehicular movements and shortage of gas and other goods.

Polyclinic operators have also asked them what they should do if anyone tested positive.

Metropolitan Health Supportive Central Desk was set up at the City Hall with an objective of clearing the suspicions related to COVID-19 among the general people and providing information about the hospital and treatment if they get confused.     

Moreover, the health desks are set up at ward offices, urban health clinics and public places.

Such health desks will provide information about the symptoms of virus, methods to control them, about self-quarantine and other individual and social activities.    

Awareness materials, masks and sanitiser are distributed through such desks.

People can receive information through the hotline number 1180 and mobile numbers 9849856671, 9849856672 and 9849860547.