Missouri adjusts COVID-19 hotline hours

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The COVID-19 hotline operated by the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services will shift to a new schedule beginning next Thursday.

The hotline will accept calls from 7 a.m.-9 p.m. seven days a week.

Current data show 93 percent of calls are received during this time frame, DHSS officials said in a news release.

On March 11, four days after the first case of COVID-19 was confirmed in Missouri, DHSS activated the hotline for citizens or health care providers needing guidance regarding COVID-19. Since that time, more than 112,000 calls have been taken regarding testing, symptoms, regulations and more.

The hotline's call volume peaked in late March with more than 15,000 calls in one week. Currently, approximately 3,000 calls are handled in a week.

The COVID-19 hotline can be reached at 877-435-8411, and translation services are available.

Additionally, DHSS's virtual assistant, the COVID-19 Chatbot, is always available at health.mo.gov.

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