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Smartphone app released by the Government will help you keep up to date with everything COVID-19

Indiana LysaghtKalgoorlie Miner

The Australian Government has launched a smartphone app to keep Australians up to date about COVID-19.

The Coronavirus Australia app was released by the Commonwealth Government on Sunday alongside a partnership with messaging service WhatsApp.

Both apps have been recognised as a “trusted source of information” for COVID-19 and can be accessed by Australians on their smartphones and tablets.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison said Cabinet welcomed the new way to communicate with the public.

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“New technology we have put in place today (Sunday) is going to help us as a country save lives,” he said.

“These new platforms provide a trusted source of information for Australians looking for important advice on how they can protect themselves and others, current restrictions on social gatherings, how they can access support, and the latest data on Australian cases.

“The app also allows Australians to voluntarily register if they are self-isolating to provide governments with important information to protect public health and safety.”

Corona Virus / COVID-19 Patrick D'Cruze, of software company neorise, has developed an app called UpHealth for iOS and Android which can help combat the spread of Covid-19.
Camera IconCorona Virus / COVID-19 Patrick D'Cruze, of software company neorise, has developed an app called UpHealth for iOS and Android which can help combat the spread of Covid-19. Credit: Simon Santi/The West Australian, Simon Santi

If you are unfamiliar with WhatsApp, head to the App Store or Google Play on your phone or tablet. Search for WhatsApp and download the green icon — follow the prompts to set up an account.

Add the number +61400253787 as a contact and send any message — it can be as simple as the word COVID-19.

The messaging service will automatically send back a menu of nine categories which you can select from to find out more information.

Options include latest numbers, travel advice, support for businesses, and ways to protect yourself from becoming ill.

The Coronavirus Australia app works in a similar way by providing up-to-date statistics, advice and resources, as well as an interactive symptom checker — all at the press of a button.

It is also available to download via the App Store and Google Play, and will appear as a black icon.

By turning notifications on for the app, the latest information can be sent as an alert to your device.

Within the first day 291,000 people accessed the messaging service and 482,000 downloaded the coronavirus app.

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