Bengaluru, Karnataka Chief Minister B.S. Yediyurappa launched Apthamitra, a toll-free helpline, 14410, and mobile app to answer all Covid queries, said an official on Wednesday.

"The Apthamitra helpline, 14410, is meant exclusively for Corona-related queries, telemedicine, counseling and facilitating testing and treatment for those in need," said an official in a statement.

The aim of Apthamitra is to reach out to all Karnataka residents, especially those living in Covid hotspots and also identify patients with Influenza Like Illness (ILI), Severe Acute Respiratory Infection (SARI) and Coronavirus like symptoms.

Operating from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., the helpline will be run from six centres, four locations in Bengaluru and one each at Mysuru and Mangaluru.

"It's a two-tier system where the first tier is manned by AYUSH, nursing or pharma final year volunteer students and the second tier is manned by MBBS, Integrated Medicine or AYUSH volunteer doctors," said the official.

People who have downloaded the app can seek advice from doctors directly via telemedicine.

Apthamitra is run by the Health and Family Welfare Department and Karnataka State Disaster Management Authority (KSDMA) with support from other entities.