How Uttar Pradesh utilised Google Maps to pin hotspot epicentres

LUCKNOW: UP government is using technology to limit the coronavirus contagion in 113 hotspots across 15 districts which account for over 85% of the state’s overall load of cases.
The state’s surveillance team is using Google Maps to locate the epicentre of hotspots and draw the perimeter of containment zone.
“Listing of hotspots is a part of cluster containment strategy in which a geographical area is defined to minimise the spread of a virus by initiating measures like sealing,” said state surveillance officer Vikasendu Agarwal, adding that Google Maps provided accuracy and saved time.A note on cluster containment sent to states by Union ministry of health and family welfare says, “The ultimate aim of creation of a geographical quarantine is to accelerate steps like social distancing measures, enhanced active surveillance, testing all suspected cases, isolation of cases, quarantine of contacts and risk communication to create awareness among people on preventive health measures.”
According to health officials, technology would be used to keep an eye on the movement of people in hotspots.
“In one way, we would keep an eye on the movement patterns of mobile phones of people living in these clusters. Any abnormal deviation will be checked. Privacy of people will not be breached,” an officer engaged in intelligence work said.
The government will keep every contact listed in the cluster with the help of local intelligence unit officials.
An officer in health department’s control room said, “Those under quarantine and their contacts are being asked to download an app which allows health officials to keep track of them. Automatic alerts are sent if a home-quarantined person moves out of a prescribed range of 40 metres or doesn’t upload his/her health status daily.”
Public health experts welcomed sealing and surveillance of hotspots.
“Containment is imperative and not a choice for countries with limited resources and weak health systems like ours. This is a timely and proactive decision by the government,” said Aarti Kumar, a social researcher and CEO of Community Empowerment Lab.