Public safety firm Yates Enterprises donated a thermal detector to the Winnebago County Circuit Court to help screen for COVID-19.
The device allows for contactless temperature screening of people coming in and out of the court’s juvenile justice center. Trial Court Administrator Thomas Jakeway said as many as 200 people can come in per day, so screening for potential cases is essential.
“Individuals simply place their wrists up to a scanner and immediate results available," he said. "And then following CDC recommendations, anyone with a fever of over 100.4 is not permitted entry into the court facility.”
Rockford Mayor Tom McNamara said if successful, these units could be deployed elsewhere.
“We would look at it here at City Hall," McNamara said. "We could look at it at any of our three policing stations, and if it works out well, we could look to partner with other nonprofits who may not have the funds to pay for it all on their own.”
The new unit will be operated by the Winnebago County Sheriff’s Department. It will be one of several steps in COVID-19 screening at the court.