Apple Maps Now Displaying COVID-19 Testing Locations in the U.S.

[MacRumors]

Apple Maps is now displaying COVID-19 testing locations across the United States, a feature that Apple began implementing earlier in April.

When opening up the search interface in Maps, COVID-19 testing is now the first option in the list, and tapping it brings up all of the testing sites in your local area.

Tapping on one of the testing site entries provides a link to the hospital or testing site's website with specific information on how testing is done, such as whether a doctor's referral or an appointment are required to have the testing conducted.

Apple on April 11 launched an online portal allowing healthcare providers, labs, hospitals, and other businesses to register as COVID-19 testing locations. The Apple Maps team reviews each application before allowing approved sites to be displayed on Apple Maps. As pointed out by Engadget, the testing site list is available in all U.S. states and Puerto Rico.

Apple in early April updated the Maps app to prioritize searches for groceries, food delivery, pharmacies, hospitals, and urgent care, and these categories also show up with COVID-19 testing sites.

Article Link: Apple Maps Now Displaying COVID-19 Testing Locations in the U.S.

 

[Apple_Robert]

That was quick. Works well.

 

[scrapesleon]

So when will it be available worldwide then again I don’t even use that app much

 

[JosephAW]

As long as they don't post where infected people are located.

 

[CarlJ]

So when will it be available worldwide then again I don’t even use that app much

Likely largely driven by when they can get the data from other countries.

 

[mi7chy]

What's the point when current policy requires showing symptoms to get tested while leaving a big blind spot for those asymptomatically infected?

 

[motm95]

Unfortunately, testing sites do not mean tests are available.

 

[jayducharme]

That's pretty awesome. And it shows (in my area at least) how few places there are.

 

[Sasparilla]

This is really nice.

Unfortunately, testing sites do not mean tests are available.

Agreed, I can't just go in and say I want a test. Testing is still very restricted in most place in the U.S.. Current testing in the U.S. is turning up about ~18% positives in tests - which means we're mostly just testing the people we (Doctors) think have the virus - not finding out the people who we don't know have it but actually do (and are spreading).

Supposedly daily testing (I believe about 250k a day here in the U.S.) would need to scale to ~20 million a day to basically cover the population and allow people to go back to work (while identifying and keeping the people home who have it).

 

[Cosmosent]

Quality of Testing is just as important as Quantity !

I hope that Apple soon adds an Accuracy Factor to each site they list !

It's been common knowledge for weeks now that there is a 15% (OR so) miss rate in many of Tests !

The FDA relaxed their requirements (for the equipment), & the Chinese manufacturers flooded the market with cheap products, MOST with Questionable Accuracy & Consistency !

This is by far the BIGGEST pandemic issue right now, & should be getting ALOT more attention from the Press !

 

[CarlJ]

Agreed, I can't just go in and say I want a test. Testing is still very restricted in most place in the U.S.. Current testing in the U.S. is turning up about ~18% positives in tests - which means we're mostly just testing the people we (Doctors) think have the virus - not finding out the people who we don't know have it but actually do (and are spreading).

This is one of the biggest problems right now. We're testing a lot of people who are already sick - it's "nice" to have confirmation that they have COVID-19, but given that there's no specific treatment for COVID-19 yet (we're treating the symptoms and secondary infections, not the virus itself), if they're clearly sick, just treat them as sick - the ones we really need to test are people who may have been exposed but don't appear sick - these are the people that we need to get isolated if it turns out they're sick, because they're the ones who are going to infect lots of other people while feeling just fine. And for that, we need really fast turnaround time on tests - like, a contact tracer says you may have been exposed and an hour later you get tested - no waiting weeks for a spot.

At this point, likely a lot more people have been exposed and/or have gotten past a mild case of COVID-19, without showing much symptoms and without being officially listed as cases (people arguing that it's not that dangerous like to keep pointing this out), but likely a lot more have died from it than have been officially listed, because if you're old and you die from "being sick" and they didn't get around to testing you beforehand, then you don't get officially listed as a COVID-19 death (the people arguing it's not that dangerous always seem to leave this part out).

 

[724699]

CarlJ ... the governments are listing COVID-19 as the cause of death even if there's a "chance" it could be linked to COVID-19. Hospitals are being paid to artificially boost the count of positive cases, especially death counts.

It's the exact opposite if what you're pointing out. Look at the stats ... more people die from many other causes even at COVID-19's peak.

I urge people to find the truth and dig things up for themselves. Especially when the media is using old footage from "Italy" for multiple shots of what's going on inside hospitals. Numerous people have gone around with cellphones filming and doing their own research into exactly how busy hospitals are with actual issues. No doubt it's a real virus, but it's been way overblown. There's a reason for this if you dig further ....

 

[iGeneo]

Regardless of the accuracy, or the "fake" theories... at the end of the day, it is good to see Apple paying attention and providing this public service.

Well done Apple

 

[1rottenapple]

This isn’t really accurate. LA County Dept of Public Health has 27 testing sites through out LA county and none of them are listed on the apple map. I just got tested myself 1 week ago. They’re expanding the test rapidly throughout the county including highly exposed workers such as those who work with the public and cannot home isolate in this pandemic. I have a website address for those in LA truly interested.

 

[nylonsteel]

good feature
gotta see if my android has it

 

[PBG4 Dude]

What's the point when current policy requires showing symptoms to get tested while leaving a big blind spot for those asymptomatically infected?

CVS’ testing locations do not require symptoms for testing. You do have to register on their site though. Their test sites in my area can only do about 750 tests/day.

 

[724699]

Coronavirus hype biggest political hoax in history

The new coronavirus is real. The response to the coronavirus is hyped. And in time, this hype will be revealed as politically hoaxed.

m.washingtontimes.com

Good enough, or do I need to write a 10 page footnoted document for you?

Look for yourself. You attack what you're afraid of clearly. In this case, it's the truth ... I wonder why you folks are scared to learn the truth and challenge the status quo.

 

[citysnaps]

Hah! The Washington Times. That is so funny.

Please, I asked for a credible source.

 

[aggiefather]

CarlJ ... the governments are listing COVID-19 as the cause of death even if there's a "chance" it could be linked to COVID-19. Hospitals are being paid to artificially boost the count of positive cases, especially death counts.

It's the exact opposite if what you're pointing out. Look at the stats ... more people die from many other causes even at COVID-19's peak.

I urge people to find the truth and dig things up for themselves. Especially when the media is using old footage from "Italy" for multiple shots of what's going on inside hospitals. Numerous people have gone around with cellphones filming and doing their own research into exactly how busy hospitals are with actual issues. No doubt it's a real virus, but it's been way overblown. There's a reason for this if you dig further ....

And YouTube took down the video of the two physicians from Bakersfield, California, who held a press conference calling for the reopening of the country. They based their opinions on facts, not hype, and were censored by YouTube.

 

[Bikersbikebikes]

The feature seems to have been taken down or at least changed dramatically since last night. Anyone noticing a difference since yesterday?

 

[sw1tcher]

As long as they don't post where infected people are located.

Apple could turn this into a game, like Pokémon Go. Capture all the infected people and put them on lock down.

 

[PBG4 Dude]

Apple could turn this into a game, like Pokémon Go. Capture all the infected people and put them on lock down.

Some countries are there. Check out this drill.

 

[Tech198]

If Apple keeps this slowness up from the rest of the world, WA Australia won't need it...

We're already relaxing out social laws.

Apple could turn this into a game, like Pokémon Go. Capture all the infected people and put them on lock down.

Awesome...I'm ready. No doubt, some ingenious developer it could be already on the cards.