Apple is jumping into the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic with a new website and app that allow visitors to screen themselves for COVID-19 symptoms.
The company partnered with the Centers for Disease Prevention and Control for the new site and app, found at Apple.com/covid19 and on the App Store. The goal is to give people resources so they can stay informed on steps they can take to protect their health during the coronavirus outbreak.
When you visit the COVID-19 website, Apple will ask you a series of questions to determine your level of risk, find out what your recent exposure has been, and check for symptoms of COVID-19. You can use the app for yourself or a loved one.
Once you complete all the questions, you’ll receive CDC recommendations of the next steps you should follow, whether it be guidance on social distancing or self-isolation. The site will tell you if you should get a test or if it’s possible you’ve been exposed. The website gathers no personal information. Plus, Cupertino does not associate your Apple ID with any of the data it receives.
Apple teams with CDC for COVID-19 screening app, website
“This new screening tool is designed to be a resource for individuals and does not replace instructions from healthcare providers or guidance from state and local health authorities,” Apple said in a statement about the site.
The COVID-19 app and website serve up a bunch of resources to keep you informed. Important topics include the proper way to wash your hands, how to clean and disinfect surfaces, how to monitor your symptoms and more.
Siri also joined the COVID-19 fight recently. Customers across the United States can ask Siri things like, “How do I know if I have coronavirus?” Apple also curated a collection of telehealth apps on the App Store.
As of Friday, the United States reported more than 92,000 confirmed COVID-19 cases, according to the Johns Hopkins University Coronavirus Resource Center. Worldwide, countries report more than 566,000 cases as the coronavirus pandemic continues to spread.
Look for more efforts from Apple in the near future. Soon, iPhone users who arrive at international airports in the United States will start receiving notifications reminding them to stay home and follow CDC guidelines.
