For innovative startups and technology companies across the globe, the novel coronavirus pandemic has been an opportunity to pivot and prove innovation remains strong in the region.
And OnMed, which offers virtual health care stations across the nation, is doing just that with its new headquarters.
The medtech company moved from Clearwater to a new, 26,000-square-foot space in Tampa's Westchase area in January, with plans to move into a 9,000-square-foot space in that same building for manufacturing by the end of October. What may have been seen as poor timing for some — moving just before Covid-19 swept the nation and forced many to work from home — CEO Austin White viewed it a bit differently.
"At some point you can't close countries down; the economies would be crippled," White said in explaining why he believes he should keep his headquarters open. "People have to figure out a way to get back to work and school safely."
The office, which houses roughly 28 employees, has steps to detect Covid-19 from the moment an employee or visitor walks through the door. In February, OnMed officials began researching PPE to get direct contracts with mask, glove and face shield manufacturers.
The company also utilized its background with thermal imaging to deploy technology that can check temperatures at a large rate. They can check for a fever in up to 20 people at a time, or 200 people every minute. There is also facial recognition software with a mask recognition component. Rapid Covid testing is also deployed, with antibody testing using blood tests which White said can be done in three minutes.
"To get America back to school safely or to work there are six-to-eight steps and you have to go to two-to-four companies to accomplish everything," White said. "We're the only company doing all of the steps to ensure safety."
For visitors, White also takes precautions: Everyone is screened and tested for coronavirus and required to wear masks. If a visitor tests positive, they are prescribed a panel of blood tests.
"There is a uniqueness in what we do and how we bring it to the market," White said.
Take a look at the OnMed office in the gallery above.
