Just as numbers were at a steady decline and businesses reopened, the Coronavirus has come back for a second wave with a vengeance. Across the United States we’re seeing increases of positive cases. Cases have been surging across the country this past month, with especially high outbreaks in the Midwest. Illinois has seen total of 621,383 positive cases and Governor Pritzker has reverted the state back into Tier 3 guidelines. Businesses must again quickly adapt to these changes.
What can my business do to protect employees and prevent the spread of COVID-19?
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We highly recommend your business follows the official state orders regarding Tier 3. Not clear on the restrictions? Click this link for an update!
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Implement workplace health & safety guidance, such as maintaining 6 feet social distance, wearing masks, thoroughly wash hands, and frequently sanitizing touch points.
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Allow as many people to work remotely as possible. “All employees who can work remotely should do so.” The less people in the office the better. Check out our blog The Secrets For Success While Working From Home for tips!
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Upgrade safety and security measures at your physical business location to prevent the spread of the virus, such as temperature screening technology and thermal cameras.
Learn More About Temperature Screening Technology…
While this technology has been around for decades (even used by the U.S. Department of Defense), it is just now becoming popular due to the Coronavirus. Many business owners are skeptical to invest in these temperature screening devices without having a better understanding of how they work. That’s what we’re here for! Computers Nationwide is a big believer in taking preventative measures.
If you could have a surveillance camera detect someone with a fever right at the door, wouldn’t you have a peace of mind stopping them in their tracks? If you’re an SMB owner figuring out how to keep your team and customers healthy during this unprecedented public health crisis, here’s what you should know about how thermal imaging solutions work and the benefits!
What do thermal imaging cameras do?
“Using infrared technology, thermal cameras detect radiating heat from a body – usually from the forehead – and then estimate core body temperature. These cameras are an extremely powerful tool, often deployed by fire fighters to track smouldering embers and police to search for out-of-sight suspects.” BBC.com
Even the FDA weighs in: “When used correctly, thermal imaging systems generally have been shown to accurately measure someone’s surface skin temperature without being physically close to the person being evaluated. Thermal imaging systems offer certain benefits in that other methods need a closer proximity or contact to measure temperature (for example, non-contact infrared thermometers or oral thermometers).”
How accurate is this method of tracking and preventing the virus?
The cameras cannot officially diagnose someone with COVID-19; however they are a useful measure in spotting potential employees and customers with fevers (which is a common symptom of the Coronavirus) and preventing them from entering your facility. There are a variety of other symptoms to check in addition to temperature and of course, an individual must take a COVID test to know if they are infected. Consider the temperature screening as an initial warning to seek a medical evaluation.
“A high temperature or fever is just one common symptom of the virus. Others include nausea, headaches, fatigue and loss of taste or smell. But not everyone with the virus gets a high temperature and not everyone with a high temperature is infected with coronavirus.”
How does a thermal imaging system differ from a thermometer?
“Both thermal imaging systems and non-contact infrared thermometers (NCIT) can measure surface temperatures without contact. An NCIT measures surface temperature in a single location, whereas a thermal imaging system can measure temperature differences across multiple locations, creating a relative temperature map of a region of the body. The enforcement policy in the guidance applies to use of thermal imaging systems to determine initial body temperature measurements.” FDA.gov
What are some examples of thermal imaging devices I can use at my workplace?
Computers Nationwide is proud to be partners with Hikvision, the world’s leading provider of innovative video surveillance systems! Hikvision has released a new line of Highly Accurate Thermographic Cameras for elevated skin-surface temperature detection and more. “The COVID-19 pandemic has made temperature screening an important part of our daily lives, and is one of the CDC’s recommendations for safe reopening. Hikvision’s Highly Accurate Thermographic (HAT) cameras provide instant and accurate detection of elevated skin-surface temperatures from a safe distance to help businesses, retailers, restaurants and educational facilities operate safely.”
Solutions such as Hikvision’s Highly Accurate Thermographic Cameras bring the best preventive thermal technology to the market, making it affordable, accessible and easy to install. These easy-to-operate temperature screening solutions provide advanced detection of elevated skin-surface temperature and are available in multiple housing types. Hikvision offers a variety of options, such as:
- Handheld Cameras
- Surveillance Cameras
- Security Metal Detector
- Access Control Terminal
- NVR Workstations
- Mobile and Desktop Applications
Browse their line of cameras to find the right solution for your business!
The benefits of temperature screening technology…
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Safer: Non-contact measurement to avoid physical contact
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Faster: One second per person for skin-surface temperature detection
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Smarter: Deep Learning Detection, greatly reducing false alarm
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Proactive: Minimizes the risk of exposure and the spread of the virus
In an recent Hikvision article, they share the value of these cameras: “Although temperature measurement is only one aspect of the fight for keeping us healthy without a resurgence of cases, it does present the most practical to implement. With thermal technology on their doorstep, employers can reduce risk to their employees, and visitors, while maintaining a flow of workers necessary to keep their business running. Not much is certain in these times, but technology and innovation can go some ways to helping build the new ‘normal’.”
