Apple Maps Will Now Direct You to a COVID-19 Testing Center

Apple updated its Maps application to display COVID-19 testing sites in the United States and Puerto Rico. This effort is an extension of a web portal that Apple opened earlier this month. The portal allowed health providers to register their testing locations to be displayed on Apple’s mapping service for the Mac, iPhone, and iPad.

Apple started taking submissions on April 11th and said it would individually review each entry before integrating it into its mapping platform. Now just a few weeks later, these locations are starting to show up as suggestions under “Nearby” locations.

1. Tap on the search bar in Maps. Then under the “Search Nearby” header, tap COVID-19 Testing. This will bring up the facilities that are close to your location.
2. Each listing contains details such as the hours, address, and contact information for the chosen testing provider.
3. You also can see if the facility requires a doctor’s referral or an appointment before testing.

The addition of the testing facilities shows Apple is serious about helping people during this time of crisis. Earlier this month, Apple updated its mapping service with information about grocery stores, food delivery services, pharmacies, hospitals, and other essential businesses that are open for customers.

These updates to Apple Maps are just one of several initiatives Apple has taken in its effort to support COVID-19 relief efforts.

The company is donating money from each sale of the Product(RED) version of its iPhone SE 2nd generation. Instead of sending money to AIDs support, Apple and RED are donating to COVID-19 programs.

Apple also developed a Mobility Trends webpage with data that shows how social distancing has impacted people’s movement. The latest version includes more cities worldwide and expanded search feature that lets you dig deeper into the mobile phone data.

Apple also is working with Google to develop an exposure notification system API that will help limit the spread of COVID-19. This API allows governments to use mobile phone data to track COVID-19 patients.

The mobile phone platform will make it possible to identify people who had contact with a COVID-19 patient before they were symptomatic and during the early stages of the disease. Doctors and health officials can then use this information to quarantine and treat those who are at higher risk of contracting COVID-19 because of the exposure.