It may be small with fewer than 5,000 residents, but Seat Pleasant, Maryland, in Prince George’s County, is working to use its position as a smart city to put one of the first coronavirus-specific telemedicine programs in place.
“COVID-19 is a deadly disease that disproportionately impacts seniors and persons with pre-existing conditions,” said Seat Pleasant Mayor Eugene W. Grant in a press release. “Communities must organize in a rapid fashion to protect our most vulnerable residents.”
As many are hunkered down in their homes during the COVID-19 pandemic, the city is announcing a $200 million partnership with Amazon, Sprint, Eagleforce and Freedman’s Health to mobilize and monitor those at high risk for the coronavirus, according to a news release.
The program will implement an internet-enabled monitoring device that will screen for coronavirus symptoms, as well as track and monitor existing chronic diseases.
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The plan is to provide tablets, medical devices and software for those in the city and to help those who don’t have internet access get what they need to get up and running.
It will be targeted to the area’s seniors, which makes up 20% of the city’s population, according to the release. The program has the ability to be expanded throughout Prince George’s County.
