The News Herald (Willoughby, OH)
Thermometers allocated to help fight novel coronavirus
Over 200 infrared devices distributed to stem tide of infection
As confirmed cases of novel coronavirus continue to spike across Ohio, Lake County government officials are working to ensure the region has everything it needs to stem the tide of infection.
While citizens adhering to issued safety protocols remains a key factor in curtailing the spread of COVID-19, in some situations it’s proved not possible, having the ability to quickly screen people for illness also remains important.
The equipment to get that done is in short supply, but officials have been able to secure more than 200 infrared no contact/indirect reading thermometers to aid in fighting spread of the virus.
“We needed a quick and reliable way to measure people’s temperature, but no one could find the thermometers,” said Lake County Commissioner John Hamercheck. “I refused to give up and found 123 infrared thermometers in the warehouse of an old supplier of mine who is in the HVAC business.”
Efforts to obtain medical-grade devices have been arranged, but units remain significantly backordered. The thermometers are designed to serve as a stopgap measure.
After the first 123 thermometers were distributed, Hamercheck was able to obtain an additional 98, totaling 221, all of which now are in the process of being allocated.
Lake County Sheriff Frank Leonbruno agreed to allow his office to serve as the distribution hub and various departments from throughout the county began picking them up last week.
“We’ve been using them daily and they have been a true asset, due to the fact of the limited amount of other medical
supplies,” he said. “If an issue is identified while screening — and we screen hundreds of people a day — we have other means to ascertain what steps to take next.”
To date, a number of the devices have been allotted to the Lake County General Health District, with many also being provided to Leonbruno in efforts to safeguard the courthouse, prevent an outbreak in the jail, and manage Lake County Central Communications Dispatch.
The commissioners office has also retained several of the units for other uses as necessary, in addition to honoring requests from county police chiefs, including Painesville Police Chief Dan Waterman.
Hamercheck said the county fronted the funds for the cost but will be seeking reimbursement from the Health District which will, in turn, be reimbursed by the state and/or federal government.
Secured from Johnstone Supply in Mentor, each thermometer costs about $45.
“They have also reached out to their warehouses in Indiana, Florida, Texas and Las Vegas to help us out,” Hamercheck said. “They have really gone out of their way to help the people of Lake County and our public safety forces in particular, and an example of an honorable business not taking advantage for profits. I thank them for honoring the sale price of these units in this time of extreme demand.”
Hamercheck added 66 additional units were picked up March 30.
Jason Wuliger, president of Nachshon Ventures, believes working together and getting creative is going to be a key factor to pushing through the COVID-19 crisis.
“When Commissioner Hamercheck called to ask me to meet him at the Lake County Administration Building to get the new equipment ready for use I was thrilled,” Wuliger said. “As a special prosecutor with cases set for sentencing, I know that everyone who works in the courthouse will be reassured that we now have this extra line of defense.
“The beauty of these thermometers is that they allow you to take someone’s temperature but never actually have to come into physical contact with them,” he added. “They also provide a nearly instantaneous result. Having these in the county toolbox is a great step forward.”
While the units are not medical devices, Lake County General Health District Commissioner Ron Graham signed off on the use because of the current emergency for the quick assessments that are necessary to help keep infected individuals from inadvertently infecting others.
Any person identified by these devices would still need to see a doctor and be medically assessed.
“We are working hard in less than ideal circumstances to reduce the spread of this infection,” Hamercheck said. “Being resourceful where we can will hopefully pay off in the long run and I’m grateful to Jason Wuliger for dropping everything last week to help me speed the deployment of these devices.
“I’m also grateful to Commissioners (Jerry) Cirino and (Ron) Young for being partners with me in this work.”