Misinformation and false speculations hampering fight against COVID-19: Rio

CM launches Nagaland COVID -19 information app 

Morung Express News
Kohima | June 10

Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio today said that misinformation and false speculations are hampering the State’s fight against COVID-19, especially the vaccination drive. 

Launching the ‘Nagaland COVID-19 Information App’ at the State’s War Room, Nagaland Civil Secretariat, Kohima on June 10, Rio, however, expressed hope that the mobile application would go a long way in dispelling any doubts regarding the pandemic among the general public. 

All the required information related to COVID-19 would be easily accessible to all the citizens on the app and would go a long way in dispelling any doubts that the general public might have, he added, 

Rio further stressed on the need to educate the public and said that the dissemination of proper and accurate data and information is vital in ensuring that the State successfully contains the COVID-19 situation, according to a report by State DIPR. 

The Chief Minister also maintained the State was at par with other states in the field of Information Technology and acknowledged the efforts of the War Room for working tirelessly for the past few months, it added. 

He also lauded the State’s Department of Information Technology &Communication for successfully developing and launching the ‘much needed’ app.

Rio also made an impromptu call to the Mon District COVID-19 helpline and talked with the personnel managing the pandemic in the district regarding the overall status there and asked them if they had any grievances which the government can look into, the report added.  

After the launch, Advisor, Information Technology & Communication, and Science & Technology, Mmhonlumo Kikon also took to Twitter to inform that the department’s initiative aims at delivering all information related to COVID-19 which can be used by every citizen of Nagaland.

“It’s a helpline at your phone. Kindly download!” he urged.

About the app
The application is developed and maintained by the DITC for the State COVID-19 War Room with the objective of providing COVID-19 information including hospital bed status to the citizens. 

Contact information at all levels of management of COVID-19 in the State and Districts level are also provided to assist the citizens to quickly get help during times of emergencies.

It was informed that a new update of the app will include a self-assessment feature to guide and help individuals who have COVID like symptoms to determine whether to seek medical help or not.

The mobile app, available for both Android and iOS operating systems on Google Play Store and Apple App Store, is a minimized version of the Nagaland COVID-19 Dashboard portal.

Some of the key features available on the app are:  
•    Snapshot of COVID-19 Case details 
•    Guidelines and notifications issued by the government related to COVID-19 
•    Details of COVID-19 Testing and Vaccination sites along with proper map
•     Link with the CoWIN portal for vaccine registration 
•    Contact details at: State Level- War Room/State Emergency Operating Centre/COVID-19 Helpline; District Administration; DTF & District Helpdesks; All Hospitals helpdesk related to COVID-19; COVID-19 Bed Status of hospitals in all the Districts; Basic COVID-19 FAQs
•    Returnees/inbound travelers can also fill the self-declaration form through the app.