Corona scare: Mobile phone caller tune with infection prevention messages launched in India

March 7: Three more people have tested positive for coronavirus in India, taking the total number of cases to 34, the government said on Saturday. If you hear a coughing sound instead of the usual caller tune while calling your dear ones, worry not. It’s a new initiation by telecom companies. The new awareness campaign is an initiative by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare of the Indian government. As part of this, both BSNL and Jio have implemented the coughing sound as the default caller tune.

The coughing sound is followed by a message in English educating people about the coronavirus. The message also tells people the various methods to stay protected from the COVID-19. It should be noted that the new caller tune is set for customers who didn’t have a pre-set caller tune on their numbers. “Always protect your face with a handkerchief or tissue while coughing or sneezing. Regularly clean hands with soap,” are some of the tips included in the caller tune message.

In order to spread awareness, special COVID-19 mobile phone caller tune was launched by all telecom operators with basic infection prevention messages played when a caller dials-out. Over 117.2 crore subscribers of BSNL, MTNL Reliance Jio, Airtel and Vodafone-Idea are being progressively reached out to through SMSs and call backs, the ministry said.

At least 150 people came in contact with a US tourist who left for Bhutan from Assam and tested positive for the virus are under surveillance. Assam Health Minister Pijush Hazarika said they have identified a resort in Jorhat where the US tourist stayed. “We have isolated the resort workers and staff… The floor of a hotel in Guwahati where he stayed has also been sanitised and isolated,” the minister said.

Reports say people are rushing in to buy face masks and hand sanitisers, leading to a shortage. The government has warned of action against hoarding and black-marketing of these items. The Department of Telecom has asked telecom operators to play awareness messages in place of ring tones.

Of the 34 people infected with the coronavirus in India, 16 are Italian tourists. Three of the first cases reported from Kerala in January were discharged last month. An Indian national is among 15 new cases of coronavirus in the UAE, the country’s health officials have said.