High demand for thermal cameras in coronavirus era

High demand for thermal cameras in coronavirus era

The makers of specialized cameras to quickly scan for fevers as people enter crowded workplaces are grappling with soaring demand while confronting supply disruptions, forcing some to prioritize customers such as hospitals, executives told Reuters.

This report produced by Jillian Kitchener.

Specialized thermal cameras that quickly scan for fevers are now in high demand, as U.S. businesses - like Tyson Foods and Intel - grapple with how to detect illness among employees before they enter the building.

Camera-makers say they’re facing supply disruptions.

So much so - they are being forced to prioritize customers, like hospitals.

(SOUNDBITE) (English) FRANK PENNISI, PRESIDENT OF THE INDUSTRIAL BUSINESS UNIT AT FLIR SYSTEMS, SAYING: "In terms of the demand that Flir has been seeing, we've been seeing exponential demand.” Frank Pennisi is president of the industrial business unit at US-based Flir Systems: (SOUNDBITE) (English) FRANK PENNISI, PRESIDENT OF THE INDUSTRIAL BUSINESS UNIT AT FLIR SYSTEMS, SAYING:"We've had to prioritize public entities, governments, essential service businesses, and other places where there's a high density of human traffic." U.S. meat supplier Tyson Foods said this week it has installed camera systems at three plants and is working with vendors like U.K.-based Thermoteknix for further expansion.

But camera makers caution the devices have limits to fever-detection.

(SOUNDBITE) (English) FRANK PENNISI, PRESIDENT OF THE INDUSTRIAL BUSINESS UNIT AT FLIR SYSTEMS, SAYING: "Let me start by saying that these cameras are not medical devices.

They are a frontline tool and they detect and give an early warning of elevated skin temperature.

So they take a picture of your face and from looking at your face, typically the hottest point on your face occurs right here around the tear duct, and that's the most indicative of your internal body temperature.

So what it's doing is it is screening your internal body temperature, or actually your external skin temperature near your eye, relative to others around you, and if you're higher it will flag you and have you put out for additional medical screening from a trained professional." Many U.S. companies are struggling to stay open during the pandemic.

Those that turn to thermal camera technology hope it prevents potentially ill workers from entering the workplace.

BUT U.S. health officials warn that people can spread the coronavirus without showing symptoms.