Innovative device detects symptom spikes in the classroom

From fevers to coughs and sneezes, a beta device from Clorox is said to be able to alert educators in real-time enabling them to see beyond the surface of their classrooms.

Each year, schools face the challenge of preventing one cough or sneeze from turning into a cold or flu outbreak. For schools that have decided to resume in-person learning, the added pressure of SARS-Cov-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, means taking every possible safety precaution is of the utmost importance.

Experimental Device

Recognizing the gap in tools available to educators that provide real-time information, Clorox developed an experimental device to help detect an uptick in illness indicators, including fevers, coughs, and sneezes, according to a news release.

According to a recent Clorox survey, classrooms are the number one area of concern regarding the spread of illness-causing germs among students (31 percent).

A new survey1 from Clorox found that 79 percent of parents believe that implementing technological solutions in schools can help combat the spread of illness. The new device will be donated to select schools around the country and will launch with an initial beta test this fall to help educators and students return to classrooms more safely and confidently.

“As a leader in public health, Clorox is continuously looking for opportunities to innovate and provide unique solutions to help protect communities and promote health,” said Magnus Jonsson, vice president of Cleaning at The Clorox Co. in the release. “This school year is unlike any we have faced before, which is why we’re proud to expand upon our solutions for prevention and provide teachers and school administrators with a way to identify early illness symptoms.”

How the Device Works
The new device from Clorox will alert schools when a classroom has surpassed a predetermined symptom threshold developed by Dr. Saskia Popescu, an epidemiologist research partner, and infection preventionist. The end result is the ability to harness these illness indicators to help schools make informed decisions about prevention and keep classrooms safe.

Using specialized thermal sensors, the device identifies potential spikes in body temperature.

The proprietary software also recognizes upticks in coughs and sneezes.

When the device detects an increase in symptoms that surpass a predetermined threshold, educators receive real-time notifications.

Schools can then evaluate the classroom’s risk level and take action to help prevent the spread of illness-causing germs following their own internal healthcare protocols.

All inputs from the device are anonymized and never recorded or saved, ensuring the only thing that’s identifiable are the symptoms.

Parents Seek Innovative Solutions to Help Prevent Outbreaks in Schools

More than half of parents (51 percent) believe that difficulty detecting the early spread of illness is one of the biggest barriers to safely reopening schools.

Classrooms are the number one area of concern regarding the spread of illness-causing germs among students (31 percent), followed by the cafeteria (20 percent), playground (18 percent), and school bus (16 percent).

Educators are facing immense pressure as 74 percent of parents believe teachers are responsible for preventing an outbreak of illness at the school.

Three-quarters (74 percent) of parents would support the use of a device in their child’s classroom that analyzes anonymous cough, sneeze, and temperature rates, and sends real-time alerts.

In fact, 72 percent would feel more comfortable with their kids returning to school if teachers had access to such data and 78 percent believe it would help schools react more quickly to potential outbreaks.

Get Your Classroom Involved
If you’re interested in learning more about the initial beta test or submitting a school for consideration to receive a device in the future, please visit www.Clorox.com/ClassroomConfidence.

To learn more about how you can help detect the spread of illness-causing germs, visit Clorox.com or CDC.gov.

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Source: Clorox Brand