For the statistical purposes of the department of health, the department of human services shall keep records of all cases of venereal diseases in the institutions, but the records shall not be open to public inspection, and the department of human services shall make every reasonable effort to keep secret the identity of those persons with the diseases so far as may be consistent with the enforcement of the provisions of §§ 40-2-12 - 40-2-17 and with the protection of the public health.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 40-2-16