COVID-19 database allows first responders to know who has tested positive

WATERLOO REGION — A database of information about people who have tested positive for COVID-19, which can be accessed by police, is strictly a measure to protect officers as they respond to emergency calls, says the local police association.

“It gives our members extra measures to keep them safe and their families safe,” said Mark Egers, president of the Waterloo Regional Police Association.

The temporary emergency order was put in place by the provincial government earlier this month. Members of the Waterloo Regional Police Services Board approved the database at a meeting April 15.

Police Chief Bryan Larkin said at the meeting that the temporary order was important to protect front-line workers who could be exposed to the virus.

But the Canadian Civil Liberties Association doesn’t agree with the order. It says the move is an “extraordinary invasion of privacy.”

Egers said an individual’s personal health information is private and the order is only in place while public health officials attempt to stop the spread of COVID-19.

“It is a temporary measure and it should stay that way,” he said. “We have all given up some of our civil liberties these days.”

The new measures allow first responders to use the database to find the name, address and birth date of people who have tested positive for COVID-19.

In a letter to Ontario’s solicitor general, the liberties association, along with other advocacy groups, ask how can they be sure that the “intrusion” will be minimal and restrained.

The association also suggests that Ontario’s restrictive testing measures does not allow for widespread testing which means the number of positive cases is not inclusive. First responders must attend every call as if the virus is present, the letter states.

The association said it is also concerned that the information may not contain the date the person was tested positive. It could mean that when police come in contact with the person they may no longer be contagious.

Waterloo Regional Police Const. Andre Johnson says only certain police managers can access the database’s information. Police were unable to say how many times the database portal has been used.

“It will only be used as an additional tool to help protect frontline members from potential exposure to COVID-19,” Johnson said.

Joe Couto, spokesperson for the Ontario Association of Chiefs of Police, said police chiefs understand the concerns of the civil liberties association.

“These are extraordinary times. A health emergency doesn’t make things normal,” he said.

Couto said front-line officers are putting their lives at risk when they respond to 911 calls.

“It is strictly about the health and safety of officers and not having them go in blind,” Couto said.

The personal health information will be not be used to monitor or investigate anyone.

“Once we wrestle this virus to its knees, we won’t need that information,” Couto said.

Each time the database portal is accessed by officers, a report must be filed and the information is sent to the province, he said.