During the frenzy of the past few months to obtain resources for the fight against COVID-19, the demand for technologies that promise to detect symptomatic individuals has been very high. However, not all the proposed solutions work as advertised. Fever screening thermal cameras are already being deployed to detect people with symptoms of fever in high-traffic areas, such as entrances to hospitals, shopping malls and office buildings, and potentially tall sports event participation in your recovery.
People with elevated temperatures may be referred for further evaluation and encouraged to isolate themselves to curb the spread of COVID-19. But the evidence suggests that fever screening thermal cameras are far from a perfect solution, offering limited precision if misconfigured and causing increased concerns about data privacy.
Manufacturers of specialized fever screening thermal cameras to quickly find fevers when people enter crowded workplaces struggle with rising demand as they face supply disruptions, forcing some to prioritize clients like hospitals. Many companies around the world have halted or curtailed operations to help combat the spread of the new coronavirus, which causes the sometimes-deadly respiratory disease COVID-19.
Thermal imaging cameras, which measure the amount of energy emitted by an object relative to its surroundings, represent a potentially safer, non-contact alternative. The cameras scan people who enter through doors or hallways and send alerts to fire an employee for monitoring with a thermometer.
Thermal camera technology was widely used in Asian airports after the 2003 SARS epidemic. Fever detection requirements around the world have renewed interest in the technology, with systems including cameras, displays, and any other necessary equipment that costs between $ 5,000 and $ 10,000.
Richard Salisbury, a physician who founded Thermoteknix more than 30 years ago, said first-quarter sales were three times higher than a typical year.
As a result, the government and industry are rolling out automated systems that involve thermal infrared cameras instead of performing a fever test using facial temperature measurements. Many of these systems have already been implemented in high-risk locations across the country.
These systems are sometimes seen as a quick fix for massive fever detection. Measurements are almost instantaneous, no contact, and data can be accessed remotely, so there is minimal disruption in public places and a small risk of cross-contamination or operator damage. And the system can be used with minimal training.
But camera makers warn that their devices are the first step in detection rather than a foolproof fever detection system.
Fever screening thermal cameras do not measure the absolute temperature, but the difference in energy emitted between one object and another. The systems require regular re-calibration, for example, to manage a shift that begins with a cold morning when workers arrive from outside rather than an afternoon shift when the sun has warmed up the environment.
Fever alarms still need to be verified with a medical-grade thermometer. Additionally, health officials have said that people can transmit the coronavirus without showing symptoms like fever, a condition that can sometimes be reduced with over-the-counter medications.
If you are ready to speak to an expert about fever screening thermal cameras contact Sentry Communications & Security at 1-866-573-6879.
