Stuff

    Subscribe to our newsletter

    What's Hot
    MTN telecoms

    MTN working on a plan to keep its operations going during load shedding

    June 30, 2022
    Top Five Budget Smartphones

    Stuff’s Top Five Budget Smartphones (at the moment)

    June 30, 2022
    Switch to Android

    Google’s Switch to Android app finally supports Android 12 – Here’s how to use it

    June 30, 2022
    Facebook Twitter Instagram YouTube SoundCloud
    Trending
    • MTN working on a plan to keep its operations going during load shedding
    • Stuff’s Top Five Budget Smartphones (at the moment)
    • Google’s Switch to Android app finally supports Android 12 – Here’s how to use it
    • This is what a R65 monthly Snapchat+ subscription buy users
    • FNB cashes in on the fuel price hike by giving away more eBucks when you buy fuel
    • AM.CO.ZA EasyRoute CNC routers score RouterCAM software upgrade, new stock inbound
    • Vodacom’s coding initiative is working to get more girls involved in STEM
    • It’s 2022. Why do we still not have waterproof phones?
    Facebook Twitter Instagram YouTube
    Stuff Stuff
    • News
      • App News
      • Business News
      • Camera News
      • Gaming News
      • Headphone News
      • Industry News
      • Internet News
      • Laptops News
      • Motoring News
      • Other Tech News
      • Phone News
      • Tablet News
      • Technology News
      • TV News
      • Wearables News
    • Reviews
      • Camera Reviews
      • Car Reviews
      • Featured Reviews
      • Game Reviews
      • Headphone Reviews
      • Laptop Reviews
      • Other Tech Reviews
      • Phone Reviews
      • Tablet Reviews
      • Wearables Reviews
    • Columns
    • Stuff Guides
    • Podcasts & Videos
      • Videos
      • Stuffed
      • Stuffing Around
      • Tech Byte
      • T2S2
    • Win
    • Subscribe
      • Print
      • Digital
        • Google Play
        • iTunes
        • Download
        • Zinio
    • Stuff Shop
      • Shop Now
      • My Account
      • Downloads
    • Contact Us
      • Get In Touch
      • Advertise
    0 Shopping Cart
    Stuff
    Home » News » Internet News » SA launches COVIDConnect, for contact tracing and test results – here’s how to access it
    Internet News

    SA launches COVIDConnect, for contact tracing and test results – here’s how to access it

    Brett VenterBy Brett VenterJuly 20, 2020Updated:October 1, 2021No Comments3 Mins Read
    Share
    Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Email

    Unless you’ve been hiding in a monastery without WiFi the last six months, you know that the world is a very different place than it was in 2019. And 2020 was supposed to be everyone’s good year. No matter, part of this new situation is having to cope with new things — something South Africa’s busy getting a handle on. SA’s Department of Health has launched a new SMS and WhatsApp service aimed at making info around COVID-19 a little easier to manage.

    What’s it do?

    COVIDConnect is a fairly simple contact tracing system for South African users. It’ll be used to send COVID test results to South Africans, with those receiving negative results simply getting their results and calling it a day. Those who test positive for the virus, whether they’re informed via WhatsApp or SMS, will be prompted to enter information about the people they’ve had contact with. The system will notify those who potentially have COVID that testing is required. Of course, this relies heavily on those tested having very good memories and submitting accurate info.

    Minister of Health Dr Zweli Mkhize said “The digital system that the Department of Health is currently using, called COVIDConnect, brings an easy-to-use self-service portal to your cellular phone. It is freely accessible through WhatsApp and SMS. What also makes it more accessible is that it does not require a user to have a smartphone but it works on any mobile phone.”

    He continued, “This system enhances the physical effort of contact tracking and tracing which is done by our community health workers and volunteers. It automates this traditional process and continuously engages with the affected user.”

    How you can access it

    If you’re keen on getting your COVID info (including testing data) direct from the Department of Health, you can add COVIDConnect on WhatsApp using the following number: 0600123456. Once that’s done, just send the word ‘hello’ and you’re off. The Department of Health is at pains to point out that an accurate physical address, phone number and date of birth are required when being tested in order for this to work.

    If you’re not a smartphone user (unlikely, since you’re reading Stuff, but maybe you know somebody who hasn’t made the jump), then sending the following code using the phone’s keypad: *134*832#.

    Lastly, if you’ve been tested for COVID-19, you can access your results directly from the government’s LetsTalk service on WhatsApp, using this number: 0820468553. Once that’s done, send the word ‘Results’ and follow the on-screen directions.

    contact tracing coronavirus COVID-19 featured SMS South Africa WhatsApp
    Share. Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn WhatsApp Reddit Tumblr Email
    Brett Venter

      Related Posts

      MTN telecoms

      MTN working on a plan to keep its operations going during load shedding

      June 30, 2022
      Top Five Budget Smartphones

      Stuff’s Top Five Budget Smartphones (at the moment)

      June 30, 2022
      Switch to Android

      Google’s Switch to Android app finally supports Android 12 – Here’s how to use it

      June 30, 2022

      Leave A Reply Cancel Reply

      In The Mag
      Stuff June-July 2022 Latest Issue

      In This Issue – The Outdoors (June-July 2022) Issue

      By Brett VenterMay 30, 20221

      Once again, we are asking you to check out a new issue of Stuff Magazine.…

      2021 Wish List
      wish list Stuff Wish List 2021

      Stuff Wish List: for the tech impaired

      By Duncan PikeDecember 22, 20210

      Are you from the time before being glued to a smartphone was considered normal? Here’s…

      Wishlist DIY Stuff tech

      Stuff Wish List: for the DIY Diehard

      December 21, 2021
      Wish List Gearhead

      Stuff Wish List: For the petrol-soaked gearhead

      December 20, 2021
      outsiders

      Stuff Wish List: for the Outsiders

      December 17, 2021

      Latest Video

      Sonos

      SONOS Roam SL unboxing by Toby Shapshak

      March 30, 2022
      Mini Cooper

      The Mini Cooper SE Electric with Toby Shapshak

      March 18, 2022
      MSI Crosshair 15 Rainbox Six Extraction Edition unboxing

      MSI Crosshair 15 Rainbox Six Extraction Edition unboxing

      March 16, 2022
      Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra Unboxing

      Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra unboxing with Toby Shapshak

      March 16, 2022
      Contact

      South Africa's Consumer Tech News Hub

      General: [email protected]
      Subscriptions: [email protected] or 087 353 1291
      Editorial: 072 735 2614
      Sales: 083 375 2418

      Facebook Twitter Instagram YouTube SoundCloud

      Subscribe to Updates

      • Terms and Conditions
      • Privacy & POPI
      • My account
      © 2022 Stuff Group. Designed by Chronon.

      Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.