An app created by Stanford Medicine in partnership with Apple helps first responders get access to drive-thru coronavirus tests.
The app is currently for use by firefighters, police officers, and paramedics, but there’s hope that the program will be later made available to other key workers …
CNBC explains how it works.
As Stanford is doing the testing, the service is currently limited to Santa Clara and San Mateo counties in California. The plan is to ramp up testing from an initial 2,500 tests per day, and then to make the app available to other counties and states.
Stanford is starting with police officers, firefighters, and paramedics because they’re essential and are at high risk of catching the virus. As of April 1, more than 1,000 New York City police officers had tested positive for COVID-19, for example.
‘If we have a first responder who has symptoms, it’s really important for them to get screened and potentially test it because they’re going to be very patient-facing and very community-facing. That’s what their jobs are,’ said Dr. Bob Harrington, chairman of the Stanford Department of Medicine.
Apple’s involvement is key to privacy, says the university.
Drive-thru coronavirus tests are designed to minimize the risk of infecting either party: those being tested, and those doing the testing.
Photo: CTGN
