- Akumin (TSX:AKU) has designated ten of its diagnostic imaging centres to deal exclusively with COVID-19 patients
- The decision will heighten the medical imaging availability necessary to diagnose and fight the virus
- All other centres will remain open to serve the company’s regular patients
- The company also has plans to take on imaging services from hospitals to allow a greater focus on virus-infected people
- Akumin (TSX:AKU) is currently down 8.26 per cent to C$2.00 per share
Akumin (TSX:AKU) has designated ten of its diagnostic imaging centres to deal exclusively with COVID-19 patients.
The company owns a range of freestanding centres throughout the United States. Its range of imaging capabilities offers the ability to diagnose and facilitate the treatment of a wide variety of diseases and disorders.
The ten centres in Florida, Pennsylvania, and Texas will offer the necessary equipment specifically to patients diagnosed with COVID-19. The company hopes that the greater focus on the virus will allow for a more rapid and dedicated treatment.
Akumin’s other centres will remain open and operating as normal. Based on guidelines issued by the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), these outlets must screen patients prior to entry.
Should any patients show symptoms relating to the virus, the centres will immediately redirect them to the designated centres.
Akumin CEO, Riadh Zine, stressed that all people need to play a role in dealing with the outbreak.
“Akumin is taking these actions to do its part to help its communities in response to COVID-19. We are dedicating healthcare resources to deal with this pandemic, while ensuring the safety of employees and patients,” he said.
In addition to the designated centres, Akumin also announced that it has plans to take on some of the stress currently felt by hospitals.
Today’s announcement said that the company will work with local health authorities to provide an alternative imaging option to the in-house services provided by hospitals.
Akumin’s existing patients with scheduled screening studies will likely experience deferrals as the company prioritises its virus-related efforts.
Akumin (AKU) is currently down 8.26 per cent to C$2.00 per share at 12:03pm EST.
