The current crisis we are facing surrounding COVID-19 has healthcare and emergency response teams out of their everyday working environment. As the number of U.S. COVID-19 cases increase, coronavirus testing centers are popping up in Target, Walgreens, CVS, and Walmart parking lots. These pop-up testing centers are meant to help protect healthcare workers as well as patients from contracting and spreading the virus.
It’s not only hospitals planning drive-thru testing options. On Wednesday, Colorado’s Department of Public Health & Environment opened the state’s first drive-up testing center in Denver. Test recipients must have a doctor’s note and photo ID to be tested. Patients stay in their cars throughout the testing process.
These healthcare workers need to be connected to the internet with a secure connection to relay data to hospitals and the CDC. Emergencies like storms, floods, and pandemics are a time when we need our communication networks most. Often, we find that these are the times when connectivity fails, or they are the times these fail points are first brought to light.
We are happy to see there have been many carriers providing waived data caps during the coronavirus, so more families are able to stay connected while working from home or having their children home from school. Although, in our sphere of influence, we know this can cause saturated lines for first responders.
As connectivity experts, KELTEK recommends Sierra Wireless Mobile Gateways for a secure and reliable mobile solution for your mobile connectivity problems. These mobile routers are easily installed with a secure VPN connection. These gateways paired with FirstNet’s dedicated public safety network make for a pair that is perfect for healthcare workers who are out in the field-testing patients. FirstNet carrier network is focused on public safety and those who are at the front lines of an outbreak or crisis.
The ideal and most effective solution for emergency mobile management that we recommend utilizes both rugged Toughbook tablets or laptops and a Sierra Wireless mobile gateway solution. The rugged devices can connect securely over Wi-Fi to the gateway, this provides a VPN protected link between the devices to secure transmitted information. The gateway, proper antenna installation, and cellular connectivity provide the most reliable connections in rural areas of operation. Ideal for mobile testing sites or any emergency response.
To learn more about how Sierra Wireless MG90’s improve a mobile workforce reach out to one of our certified technology experts!
