NCDC Releases Short Code For Verified COVID-19 Information

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) in collaboration with the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has announced a shortcode – “6232” to get verified COVID-19 information.

Speaking to NAN on Wednesday, the Director-General of the NCDC, Dr Chikwe Ihekweazu, said the number was introduced for the public to contact their Connect Centre and access verified information on COVID-19 and other infectious diseases.

Ihekweazu who said the shortcode was toll-free and easy-to-remember, added that call lines were expanded to receive multiple calls simultaneously.

“This is to ensure that Nigerians have access to verified information on infectious diseases,” he said.

“Following the confirmation of Nigeria’s first COVID-19 case in February 2020, NCDC immediately expanded its Connect Centre capacity to meet the increasing need for information by Nigerians.”

He explained that, “the short code number ‘6232’ will be used alongside the existing toll-free number – ‘0800 9700 0010’, with a gradual phase-out of the existing toll free number.”

Recall that the Nigeria Center for Disease Control (NCDC) on Tuesday evening, 2nd February 2021, confirmed 1,634 new cases of Coronavirus disease infection in Nigeria.

The new cases of COVID-19 infection were confirmed via a statement on the official Twitter handle of the health agency.

This brings the total number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in Nigeria to 133,552 which includes 107,551 discharged cases and 1,613 deaths.