Centre urges states to track and trace coronavirus by using ITIHAS

Amid surge in the Covid-19 pandemic, the Centre has urged states to use IT-enabled Integrated Hotspot Analysis System (ITIHAS) for contact-tracing, surveillance and identification of hotspots. The application traces travel history, monitors positive cases and helps authorities map out containment zones or hotspots.

According to a home ministry official, the department of telecommunication is helping health authorities predict emerging hotspots by using the mobile contacts of Covid-19 patients. “IT-enabled tool traces patients’ movement over the past 15 days and alerts local authorities to maintain surveillance. Some states have been using ITIHAS since last year. We are now encouraging others to use the data for contact-tracing of positive cases,” the official said.

Another official said Indian Council of Medical Research provides data for the positive cases tested in government and private labs. “Using the call detail records of a patient, health authorities can identify the person’s movement and decide on the locations that need to be brought under surveillance. Further, states have been directed to use ITIHAS mechanism to track those returning from Kumbh Mela in Haridwar,” said the official cited above.

While the use of mobile numbers for tracking may raise privacy concerns, the official said an incorrect number makes it impossible for authorities to trace infected person’s contacts.