Mobile app allows residents to report health violations

Residents can now use a mobile app to report violations of public health orders related to the COVID-19 pandemic, Riverside County officials announced.

The app may be used to make anonymous reports about possible violations, according to a news release from the Riverside County Health Department. Violations that can be reported include operation of nonessential businesses, gatherings of individuals, lack of social distancing, and failure to comply with public health orders to wear face coverings in public.

“We must mitigate and suppress the spread of the coronavirus. This app will help identify hot spots that will lead to efficiently responding to businesses that are risking the health of the community,” said Riverside County Supervisor V. Manuel Perez.

RivCoMobile has a Coronavirus feature. It is available on both iOS and Andriod systems. Anonymous reports can also be made at this website.

According to the news release, the new feature will provide data to health officials who track and address the spread of the coronavirus in Riverside County.

“Unfortunately, we’ve received numerous reports of violations throughout the County. This data will allow us to map areas of noncompliance, where we anticipate there will be associated outbreaks of COVID-19 and a corresponding need for resources,” said Dr. Geoffrey Leung of the Riverside University Health System.

Through the app, users can specify the address and type of violation. There is also an option to attach a photo.