Meet the 12 telemedicine startups being put to the test as they gear up to confront the coronavirus pandemic

• By screening people remotely, temedicine companies are providing much-needed relief to brick-and-mortar hospitals that are facing the coronavirus.
• Some are increasing their appointment capacity and hiring doctors to keep up with demand.
• According to a report from CB Insights, telehealth startups reached record deal volume in 2019 and will be watched closely by investors during, and probably long after, the pandemic.
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Telehealth companies are gearing up to help in the fight against the novel coronavirus.

For startups in the industry, it's a critical chance to prove they can be useful at a time of need. The startups are adding appointments, physicians, programs, and tests to help providers combat the pandemic, according to a recent report from CB Insights.

Besides freeing up space and workers in hospitals, they also enable the social distancing required to contain outbreaks.

Telemedicine startups raised $3.3 billion in 244 deals last year, according to CB Insights. In 2018, they raised $4.8 billion in 238 deals.

"We're busy," said a spokesperson for American Well, one of the leading telehealth companies in the US, in an email. "Demand for healthcare across all care setting is surging right now, and telehealth is no different."

Here's what other telehealth companies told us about how coronavirus is affecting their businesses:

• Doctolib's video consultations are increasing every hour as health professionals in France get more equipped with the technology.
• Virus-related visits constitute 35% of the total daily volume for Seattle-based 98point6.
• Sweden's KRY is working with health authorities across Europe to add capacity - but it's already doubled normal appointments in the past two weeks.

Here are the 12 telehealth startups making COVID-19 virus work a priority, according to CB Insights.

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