Discord suffers worldwide server outage within hours of Coronavirus measures

UPDATE 11.15 pm GMT: Discord are saying the servers are back online with the issues experienced due to a huge influx of users in the last few days.

The popular VOIP application, Discord, is currently experiencing a worldwide server outage just hours after they brought in measures to help those who rely on the app to communicate with loved ones, work colleagues and friends amid the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

In a message posted to the official Discord Twitter account at 9.30 pm GMT on the 16th March, they said they are "aware of the connection issues and are working on it."

They elaborated on the issue on the Discord status page:

"We are currently investigating an issue where a number of Discord servers are completely unavailable."

The server outage comes just hours after they introduced measures to help those that are self-isolating or putting into practice "social distancing" guidelines in the wake of the Covid-19 outbreak.

These measures included a temporary increase in the number of Go Live streaming and screen shares from 10 to 50 people and a 20% increase in server capacity.

Social distancing is a term used to describe the practice of restricting unnecessary contact with other people during a pandemic with the goal of stopping the spread of the virus. These measures have been brought in to varying degrees throughout the world with travel bans in place in the US and Europe.

Major sporting, cultural and esport events have been cancelled, schools and universities are being shut and businesses are being asked to allow their employees to work. On a personal level, people are being asked to wash their hands regularly and not to shake hands, avoid crowds and stand several feet from people.

These measures have been brought in across the world as countries look to slow down the virus which has infected over 180,000 people and caused the death of 7,139.