Thermal detection cameras can help detect a virus, but they have limits.
The coronavirus pandemic had a massive impact on everyone’s lives globally, including health, economy, convenience and much more. No one anticipated the impact this virus has had on our world. With many businesses struggling at the moment to continue trading as normal, and others forced to shut down, we have noticed a spike in the number of business coming to us at ADAM Security to implement thermal imaging cameras at the entry points of their businesses, in order to help detect people with fever.
While we are rushing to meet the demand and assist the community with keeping essential workers safe from infected customers, we are actively working with businesses who would like to plan for when the economy starts to reopen – hopefully very soon. While we have been installing and maintaining business security systems for years, we never would have thought six months ago that businesses would be looking to screen workers.
With advanced thermal detection systems and cameras, we can conduct temperature screenings more quickly and efficiently than traditional thermometers, all from a safe social distance. The industries currently implementing temperature detection cameras are mainly manufacturing, hospitality, transport, health and sports industries. However, the technology will benefit many other businesses, such as shopping centres, courier companies, warehouses and financial institutions.
PRIVACY CONCERNS
Everybody is worried that their privacy could be compromised and that the freedom they are giving up at the moment to stay safe and fight the outbreak might be hard to claim back when the outbreak is over.
We wanted to answer some questions and queries relating to the imaging cameras, as some privacy experts are concerned about those health and biosecurity surveillance systems. The thermal imaging systems are actually less invasive than existing security camera systems because they’re displaying the emission of heat from a person rather than a detailed image.
The technology is not new, they have already been implemented at many Asian airports since the SARS epidemic, and in other Thermal temperature applications.
LIMITATIONS
Nobody is claiming that these cameras would replace the actual tests required to decide whether someone is carrying the Covid-19 virus or not, as the cameras simply cannot do this function. They are simply screening your body temperature to detect an abnormal temperature level.
Temperature screening alone will not detect all persons with a virus, as it could have false-negative results for those still in incubation period or not showing any symptoms, or false-positive results for those who are feverish for other causes. Thermal imaging can only replace a thermometer, not a laboratory test.
We would like to make it clear for those businesses looking to embrace the thermal detection technology and explain that, like any other system it does have limitations. Our team at ADAM Security have been assisting companies to provide guidance on appropriate procedures and protocols to implement these systems effectively.
CONCLUSION
While the system has limitations, Thermal temperature detection is one of the best methods to detect the presence of a virus and prevent its spread throughout a business or organisation. The early detection and isolation of a Covid-19 case could prevent the closure of a business protecting it from financial loss.
