Introduction
Since the pandemic started, COVID-19 has rapidly impacted everyone’s daily lives. It has also left numerous businesses and sectors in disarray, disrupting global commerce and economic movements.
Even though vaccinations are becoming accessible, there is still a strong focus on taking extensive precautionary measures. This involves regularly washing your hands, avoiding face-to-face interaction, social distancing, and wearing face masks, among other things. There has also been a restriction on gathering large crowds to break the exponential curve, and there have been rigorous quarantine measures in place to limit the spread of this highly infectious disease.
The Common Symptoms of COVID-19
The World Health Organization has released helpful guides on the typical symptoms of COVID-19. It has also provided additional safety precautions you may take if you or a loved one is suspected of being infected with the disease.
According to the WHO, the most frequent symptoms of the COVID-19 virus include fever, cough, fatigue, and abrupt loss of taste or smell. Having these symptoms require immediate care. Other less common symptoms of this virus include a sore throat, headache, body aches and pains, diarrhea, red or irritated eyes, and a rash on the skin or discoloration of fingers or toes.
The Emergence of Fever or Thermal Screening Devices
With this known COVID-19 and Delta variant symptoms, putting fever or thermal screening solutions in strategic locations, such as high foot traffic areas and high-density enclosed spaces, has become a growing requirement for enhanced safety.
Although fever or thermal screening has limited evidence in detecting the COVID-19 virus at the point of entry, it still acts as a critical step in seeing the most common symptoms of the virus. Many businesses use this approach to assess whether or not a particular employee is ready to return to work.
What is Fever or Thermal Screening?
Fever or thermal screening is the technique of detecting and estimating core body temperature by utilizing infrared technology to detect radiating heat from a person. The quantity of radiation released rises as it cools. As a result, it enables one to see temperature fluctuations. For instance, if someone has a fever, thermal screening can help you detect and identify it.
A portable thermometer, which is directed at your forehead within a few millimeters without contacting the skin, is one of the most common types of thermal screening solutions. According to Derek Hill, a medical imaging science expert at University College London, this type of thermal screening solution is accurate to a fraction of a degree on skin temperature. It also correctly detects fever approximately 90% of the time when compared to a rectal thermometer. With the aid of contactless fever or thermal screening solution, there is no need for rectal thermometers. This also helps maintain social distancing among individuals.
What is the Average Human Body Temperature?
The average body temperature is 37°C (98.6°F). A high temperature is often defined as 38°C or above. However, the average body temperature can vary from person to person and alter during the day. For example, it can fluctuate throughout a woman’s monthly cycle.
The Relationship of Fever or Thermal Screening with the COVID-19 Pandemic
When applied appropriately in one’s business, Fever or thermal screening solutions have typically been demonstrated to reliably detect someone’s surface skin temperature. This is conducted without being physically close to the person being examined.
They also have certain advantages over other measuring techniques since they do not require closer proximity or touch. Their systems’ accuracy depends on meticulous setup and operation as well as adequate preparation of the individual being evaluated.
Can Fever or Thermal Screening Solutions Detect COVID-19?
Having a fever or thermal screening solution may readily detect the typical symptoms of COVID-19. However, keep in mind that this solution is not an indicator if someone is infected with the virus, which could only be determined through a specialized diagnostic test. Nonetheless, detecting earlier signs might serve as an excellent warning for a person not to report for work to prevent further infection.
The Guidelines for Using Fever or Thermal Screening Solutions
The US Food and Drug Administration published guidelines on the Enforcement Policy for Telethermographic Systems During the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Public Health Emergency. This will increase the availability of thermal screening solutions and reduce thermometer shortages during a public health emergency.
Aside from that, this guidance establishes an enforcement policy intended to be applied to all thermal screening equipment used for medical reasons throughout the pandemic. This includes valuable tips and recommendations on the performance and labeling of other fever or thermal screening systems.
The Benefits of Fever or Thermal Screening
There are several advantages to using fever or heat screening methods, which include:
Social Distancing
The person in charge of the fever or thermal screening device does not need to be physically near the evaluated individual. In fact, they may even be in a different location or room to perform the screening process. Additionally, thermal screening devices take contactless temperature measurements, so they require minimal cleaning between usage.
Faster Temperature Checking
Fever or thermal screening solutions may assess surface skin temperature more quickly than a standard forehead or mouth thermometer. They use the latest AI technology to ensure rapid and reliable temperature screening on many people.
Additionally, temperature measurements can be taken promptly, even for large groups, because these solutions are computer-controlled and employ infrared technology.
Supported by Scientific Studies
Fever or thermal screening solutions, when used appropriately, can generally detect surface skin temperature effectively. Hsuan-Yu Chen, Andrew Chen, and Chiachung Chen, three Taiwanese researchers, conducted a study in 2020 and reported that these devices efficiently monitor body temperature, mainly when used on the forehead.
Employee Protection
When thinking what a post-lockdown workplace would look like, many businesses prioritize employee safety. Incorporating fever screening solutions is a crucial way to protect anyone who enters your premises. It is also an excellent method to increase employee morale and productivity.
Staff members will be calmer and more optimistic if they do not have to worry about their own as well as their coworkers’ health conditions.
Improved Public Perception
If your company relies on consumers stopping by every now and then, including fever screening technologies into your post-COVID-19 operations might have a significant impact. IOT Philippines Inc. provides the SecureLink Metal Detector with Temperature Detection, which may be easily seen by anybody entering the room. This walk-through equipment emphasizes your efforts to safeguard their well-being by detecting one’s temperature from 0.05 to 0.2 m distance.
However, if you prefer to be more discreet, we have another solution for you. We offer the SecureLink Mini Body Temperature Detection Box. You can mount this device on the wall or a pole. However, keep in mind that the device’s distance from the person should be from 1 to 20 cm to accurately get results.
Preparations to be Made Before Using Fever or Thermal Screening Solutions
The Area Preparations for Using the Fever or Thermal Screening Device
⦁ Check the temperature of the room. The temperature should be between 68 and 76°F or 20 and 24°C, with a relative humidity of 10 to 50%.
⦁ Use the device in a room with little to no air movement, out of direct sunlight, and far from radiant heat sources, such as portable heaters.
⦁ Avoid sparkling backdrops and harsh lighting to reduce reflected infrared radiation.
What Should the Person be Evaluated with the Fever or Thermal Screening Device Keep in Mind?
⦁ Before the measurement, do not wear face obstructions such as a hat, scarf, glasses, or face shield. They should also pull their hair away from their face. These obstructions reduce the accurate measurement of the fever or thermal screening devices.
⦁ Make sure you don’t have a higher or lower facial temperature due to wearing too much clothing or head coverings.
⦁ Wait at least 15 minutes in the measurement room. If you have engaged in vigorous physical activity or bathed before taking your temperature, wait at least 30 minutes. These actions may have an impact on the outcome of your temperature measurement.
The Proper Use of Fever or Thermal Screening Devices
⦁ The person in charge of the equipment must be trained and must adhere to all of the manufacturer’s instructions.
⦁ Ensure that the device is appropriately set up and placed in a location to accurately detect surface skin temperature.
⦁ Only measure the surface skin temperature of one individual at a time.
⦁ Maintain a constant distance between the individual and the thermal screening device. The manufacturer’s instructions specify the distance measurement.
⦁ If the gadget indicates an increase in temperature, use a different approach to determine if the patient has a fever.
Conditions That Might Affect Temperature Reading
Fever or thermal screening systems can efficiently identify the possible early signs of COVID-19, especially in high traffic environments such as airports, transportation terminals, and conference centers. However, they are ineffective when used to take the temperature of many persons at the same time. In other words, you should not use them for mass temperature screening.
Aside from that, fever or thermal screening devices can only detect surface skin temperature, which is generally lower than an oral temperature. To account for the variation in dimensions, you must correctly modify them.
For these systems to effectively work, you must follow the steps below:
⦁ Use the device in the right environment or location.
⦁ Set up and operate the system correctly.
⦁ Read and understand the usage manual.
⦁ Properly train for handling the device.
Where to Find Affordable and High-Quality Fever or Thermal Screening Solution in the Philippines?
At Internet of Things (IoT) Philippines Inc., we provide a wide range of cost-effective and reliable fever or thermal screening solutions that you can utilize for your business. We are a dynamic company that transforms our daily lives using the “Internet of Things” and Radio Frequency Identification (RFID).
We take pride in our fever or thermal screening systems that can accurately monitor body temperatures using proprietary non-contact infrared technology. Once the abnormal temperature is detected, an alarm immediately rings, helping in the prevention of the further spread of COVID-19
Together with SecureLink, we provide you with effective and high-quality solutions that will help business combat possible COVID-19 infection.
SL-364T or SecureLink Mini Body Temperature Detector Box
The SecureLink Mini Body Temperature Detection Box is a thermal scanner that measures the surface temperature of the human body using non-contact infrared technology. It produces a voice warning if it detects an abnormal body temperature. As a result of this reaction, large-scale disease contagion is successfully prevented.
It includes several different features, such as:
⦁ Rapid thermal screening with less than a second temperature measurement reaction time
⦁ Temperature accuracy of +/- 0.3°C
⦁ Working temperature of -10 to 30°C
⦁ Non-contact temperature detection distance of 1 to 20 centimeters from the forehead or wrist
⦁ 8 watts power consumption
⦁ High-brightness LED display for clear reported information
In addition, you may integrate this device with a variety of alternative mounting accessories. You may mount it against a wall next to your time attendance system or disinfection equipment. The device may also be installed on poles for use in the office lobby, reception area, and conference rooms, or it can be combined with walk-through metal detectors.
SL-MT6812 or SecureLink Metal Detector with Temperature Detection
The SecureLink Metal Detector with Temperature Detection is a walk-through infrared temperature detection door that uses high-precision temperature measuring sensors to estimate the body temperature. It also has audio alarms that ring if an abnormal temperature is detected.
This device has other features, including:
⦁ Modular design that makes installation, transit, and maintenance quick and simple
⦁ Non-contact temperature detection distance of 0.05 to 0.2 meters and detection height of at least 1.5 meters
⦁ Adopted the original infrared detector from Belgium for high precision, stable performance, and consistent quality
⦁ Temperature measurement and screening may usually be done at -10 °C
⦁ LED display with high brightness for clear visual information
⦁ SPCC and PVC door materials to minimize deformations caused by fire, corrosion, collision, and moisture
⦁ Prevention of false alarms produced by excessive heat and direct sunlight
In addition, the walk-through temperature detector is extensively utilized in a variety of settings, including jails, courts, schools, hospitals, banks, buildings, railway terminals, conference centers, and exhibition halls.
Conclusion
There’s an adage that prevention is better than cure. As the coronavirus continues to infect many people, it is best to be prepared and develop safety procedures that will help prevent the further spread of this disease. Aside from constantly wearing a face mask and thorough hand sanitation, it is essential to check your temperature every now and then. Knowing your body temperature can give you an idea if you’ve been possibly exposed to the virus or not.
IOT Philippines Inc. offers temperature screening solutions to assist you and your business in ensuring your employees’ health. Get in touch with us for more information about what we offer. You may also contact us for your queries at our hotline numbers, +63-8721-0037 and +63-8880-2732, or email us at info@iotphils.com.
