Doctors have opened a messenger group giving mobile numbers for free consultations about coronavirus. Dr Mahbubur Rahman Rajib, former student of the dental faculty of the Barishal Sher-e-Bangla Medical College Hospital and founder member of the group, said the group was initiated four days ago by Dr Alia Mahjabin, along with Dr Rehan Akhtar, Dr Niloy Prasad Chakraborty, and Dr Asaduzzaman Shuvo.

Within 96 hours, 80 more doctors and public health experts have joined the group “24/7 We for people By NSU Public Health Department” and "#nonstop24/7" with their mobile contact numbers.

The group has already created a sensation among people. Within this period, they have answered more than 3,000 calls, asking callers not to panic and advising them to gurgle with hot water and take ginger, said Dr SM Sarwar, head of the SBMCH ENT department.

The group advises people on protection from the coronavirus. After hearing about their symptoms, it says whether they need to go to hospital or be under home-quarantine, taking simple precautions and primary medicines like paracetamol or Napa, said Dr Mustafa Kamal, outdoor medical officer of the hospital.

Dr Nahid Hasan, medical officer of Barishal City Corporation, also included his number in the group, giving free medical advice to citizens.

Dr Manisha Chakraborty, member-secretary of the Barishal district BSD, has opened a helpline and started serving people by creating a medical team.

Dr Basudev Kumar Das, Barishal divisional health director said such efforts will help control the spread of rumours, panic, and virus infection.

The Barishal divisional director of health also said 1,994 people are under home-quarantine in six districts of the division, including 395 in Barishal, 587 in Patuakhali, 272 in Bhola, 304 in Pirojpur, 264 in Barguna and 161 in Jhalakathi districts, and 11 in Barishal City Corporation areas.

Besides, 286 have returned to normal life. They include 91 in Barishal, 64 in Patuakhali, 36 in Pirojpur, 63 in Barguna and 32 in Jhalakathi.

They have ended their quarantine period and returned to normal life, he added.

Three persons kept in isolation units of Barishal SBMCH and Barguna GH have been released from the hospital. No one has been found to be coronavirus-positive in the division till now, the divisional health director said.