Over 35,000 people have used a new NHS 111 online service to get help and advice about coronavirus in a single day over the weekend, according to NHS England.
The website received over 70, 000 hits since its launch last Wednesday.
The enquiries jumped by a quarter after advice for travellers who have been in Italy changed last week.
NHS England announced an initial extra £1.7 million funding into 111 to offer more clinical advice over the phone and said it would provide 500 additional ‘initial call responders’ to answer 20,000 more calls every day.
NHS has also promised more investment if demand continues to rise.
Professor Stephen Powis, NHS national medical director, thanked all NHS staff who are working round the clock to respond to the Coronavirus outbreak.
“We know that 111 call volumes have been high and people have understandably turned to the service for help, support and advice which is why we are ploughing in £1.7 million to increase staff available to field calls,” Powis said.
NHS 111 provided around 20,000 hours of expert clinical advice in January.
