The Chinese media reported today that the death toll from Coronavirus has risen to 106 with infections currently at approximately 4,500, there is also World wide media reports that it has now spread to 16 other countries.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) International Health Regulations (2005) Emergency Committee have met on a number of occasions last week to discuss the increasing spread of the Coronavirus and are on standby to meet again in 10 days if deemed necessary.

The following elements were considered by the WHO Emergency Committee as critical:

• Human-to-human transmission is occurring and a preliminary R0 estimate of 1.4-2.5 was presented.
• Amplification has occurred in one health care facility.
• Of confirmed cases, 25% are reported to be severe.
• The source is still unknown (most likely an animal reservoir) and the extent of human-to-human transmission is still not clear.

The WHO Emergency Committee expected that further international exportation of cases may appear in any country.

All countries should be prepared for containment, including active surveillance, early detection, isolation and case management, contact tracing and prevention of onward spread of 2019-nCoV infection and to share full data with WHO.

The Coronavirus produces a range of symptoms including a runny nose, cough, sore throat and fever, that can lead to pneumonia. The virus can be spread through direct contact with an infected person.

Westminster has previously supplied their WG520 Fever, Coronavirus Flu, Ebola Fever Screening Detection Systems to Airports, Ports and Government facilities throughout the World when there has been outbreaks of Ebola, Common influenza, SARS and other flu variants such as Avian flu, Bird and Swine flu etc.

Thermal imaging as a fever screening tool is used as a first level mass screening test that is sensitive and accurate at identifying all individuals that are above normal temperature and have a systemic fever.  The initial screening provides little or no inconvenience or interruption of movement for the majority of people being screened.

How does the Westminster WG520 detect the possible presence of these viruses?

The normal human body temperature ranges between 36.1°C to 37.2°C (97°F to 99°F).

The Westminster WG520 consists of a portable rapid deployable specialised high sensitivity Infra-Red Camera together a laptop and software. The system is usually deployed at passenger entry points and is focused on the face of the target person. It will automatically pick up an increased temperature.

The WG 520 system can be deployed between 1.8 metres (6’) to 10.6 metres (35’) from the target persons and has been designed for screening the rapid movement of multiple people though large areas.

The benefits of covering passenger entry points with the WG 520 system are: –

• Containment;
• Deterrent to individuals considering travelling with un-diagnosed symptoms of fever;
• Flexibility in escalation of screening protocols due to level of risk;
• Reassurance for other travellers that could be exposed.

For further information on the Westminster range of Fever Scanning systems please visit this link.