Chengalpattu COVID map violates patient confidentiality

CHENNAI: The Chengalpattu district administration’s decision to reveal details about the persons who have tested positive for coronavirus and also their source of information has kicked up a row, with many terming the move as a violation of patient privacy and confidentiality that could lead to them being stigmatised.

After coming under fire, the district officials said if these details were found to be misused by anyone, strict action would be taken.

On Wednesday morning, the district administration uploaded the affected areas plotted on a Google Map, apparently to generate awareness among public, on social media. The customised Google Map let others know the location of coronavirus infected person in the neighbourhood.

When a marked area is clicked, the details of the COVID positive persons is displayed, including the contact numbers and addresses of some of them. In some cases, the details given reportedly included the source of information.

After receiving complaints against putting personal details of persons affected by the virus in the public domain, senior officials justified that people should be able to know if there were any positive cases in their neighbourhood.

When contacted, Chengalpattu SP T Kannan said the idea behind the initiative was to let the local public know what was happening around them. “If we get any complaints that those details have been misused by anyone, the person will be arrested and strict action will be taken,” the officer said. The map would be updated every day and people can check it to avoid visiting the areas that have reported positive cases, officials added.