ARE TEMPERATURE CHECKS A GOOD WAY FOR ASSESSING COVID-19?

– Husna, Amity University Kolkata

Recently, as the world is implementing re-opening plans during the COVID-19 pandemic, infrared contact-free temperature assessment devices are being used at entry points to identify and screen out feverish individuals who may carry the coronavirus. But even when the devices are used properly, temperature assessment may have a limited impact on reducing the spread of COVID-19 infections.

The  Centre for disease control and prevention (C.D.C.)  stated that presently we have a better understanding of  COVID-19 transmission that shows symptom-based screening has restricted viability since individuals may have either no symptoms, fever or just mild symptoms at the time of screening. The C.D.C would also quit requiring airport health screenings from 14th September for international passengers as the checks can’t recognize the silent carriers. Hence, temperature checks aren’t effective in the long run as it won’t catch most individuals who are spreading Covid-19.

Source:

1. https://www.fda.gov/medical-devices/general-hospital-devices-and-supplies/non-contact-infrared-thermometers

2. https://www.nytimes.com/2020/09/13/health/covid-fever-checks-dining.html