Two women have been charged in court over the way they treated confidential coronavirus-related information.
Zhao Zheng, who is the former deputy head of the Health Ministry’s data management unit, was today accused of leaking the numbers of COVID-19 cases prior to their official release, while her friend Tang Lin was accused of soliciting updates about a COVID-19 patient. Both are aged 36.
The police told reporters yesterday that Zhao had disseminated information through a group chat between March and April last year, and that at least 60 people who were unauthorized to receive the data will be issued stern warnings or advisories.
Zhao was arrested in April and currently faces 24 charges under the Official Secrets Act, while Tang faces 10. Both women are expected to return to court on May 5.
Those found guilty under the law could be jailed for up to two years and fined up to S$2,000 (US$1,495).
Singapore has reported more than 60,000 COVID-19 cases and 30 deaths. There was a major spike in cases at migrant worker dormitories last April.
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