• Residents can text “COVID19FC” to 888-777 to receive coronavirus information on their mobile device

Residents of Franklin County, Columbus, Ohio can now text COVID19FC to 888-777 to receive coronavirus information update on their mobile device to the Franklin County Emergency Management and Homeland Security (FCEM&HS).

Franklin County Emergency Management and Homeland Security (FCEM&HS) in support of Franklin County Public Health (FCPH) and Columbus Public Health (CPH) launched text message alerts for residents to receive the latest information on the coronavirus (COVID19).

The keyword COVID19FC text alert system will allow public health and safety officials in all Franklin County jurisdictions to quickly issue real-time information, updates and instructions on the coronavirus through the countywide alert system, Alert Franklin County.

The system can also be used to communicate community information and public facility closures.

“In addition to the existing information tools, web pages and call centers, we want to provide every resource possible to our health agencies and local jurisdictions so they can provide official information to the public as quickly as possible,” said Jeffrey J. Young, Director of Franklin County Emergency Management and Homeland Security.

“In today’s world, many residents rely on their mobile devices to receive information and this includes text messaging.”

Anyone wishing to receive information on the coronavirus via text message can sign up by texting COVID19FC to 888-777.