Free online coronavirus screening launched by Discovery and Vodacom

Using Discovery’s established online presence and infrastructure, the platform will allow South Africans to access a free virtual consultation with qualified doctors, specifically to help them determine whether or not they may be suffering from the novel coronavirus.

Getting around to seeing a doctor these days has, honestly, become pretty tough. Fortunately for us, there’s a little thing called the internet that’s making communication with actual qualified specialists easier than ever, if you know where to look (and that doesn’t mean Facebook, Karen). Vodacom and Discovery have launched a new online platform specifically to help people screen themselves for the coronavirus. Even better news is that the whole thing is totally free!

According to MyBroadband the joint venture has seen both Vodacom and Discovery setting up a private fund that should cover around 100,000 online consultations, meaning you won’t have to pay a cent. “Our partnership with Discovery can go a long way in alleviating any increased pressure on healthcare practitioners while at the same time empowering citizens by connecting them to doctors,” said Vodacom Group CEO Shameel Joosub.

This platform will take advantage of Discovery’s DrConnect feature which allows Discovery customers to virtually meet with medical professionals. While it uses a similar infrastructure, the coronavirus service will be available to all South Africans, not just Vodacom and Discovery customers.

To use this service, all you need to do is visit Discovery’s COVID-19 information hub or Vodacom’s website. From there, follow the relevant links, answer a few questions, register your details and sign a consent form and you’ll be able to book a consultation whenever’s most suitable for you. While it might not be quite as effective as physically going to see a doctor it’s certainly far safer for both patient and doctor to conduct an online consultation. It’s a pretty solid idea that people should take advantage of, hence why you’re reading this article. Just don’t waste the doctor’s time, alright?