Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC) has reminded people to call 16000, and not 999, for information on or medical assistance for the novel coronavirus disease (Covid-19).
"For all questions and enquiries related to Covid-19, members of the public should call the Ministry of Public Health's dedicated hotline on 16000," HMC said in an advisory on social media Tuesday.
The advisory reiterated that 999 is for "medical emergencies requiring immediate medical attention and transfer to an emergency department".
"The Ambulance Service's medical dispatchers receive hundreds of 999 calls each day from members of the public with urgent medical conditions, and the 999 number must be prioritised for these life-threatening situations," it stressed.