Google searches for phrases associated to COVID-19 will now show info for greater than 2,000 COVID-19 testing facilities throughout 43 states within the US, the corporate tells The Verge.
There are different modifications, too. If you seek for one thing associated to COVID-19, you’ll now see a brand new “Testing” tab as a part of the data proven in Google’s COVID-19 SOS alert. If you click on or faucet that Testing tab, you’ll see plenty of sources relating to COVID-19 testing on the prime of your search outcomes. These embrace: a hyperlink to the Facilities for Illness Management’s (CDC) online COVID-19 symptom checker, a suggestion to speak to a healthcare supplier when you assume you need to be examined, a hyperlink to COVID-19 testing info out of your native well being authorities, and a observe that you could be have to name forward to a testing heart to be sure you can really get a check.
The Testing tab may even present you details about particular testing facilities except you’re in Connecticut, Maine, Missouri, New Jersey, Oklahoma, Oregon or Pennsylvania, Google tells The Verge. That’s as a result of Google is barely surfacing testing areas which have been accredited for publishing by well being authorities, the corporate says. For a similar purpose, Google is barely itemizing a single testing heart situated in Albany for the state of New York, however the firm expects so as to add extra New York listings quickly.
Right here’s what the outcomes seem like for me. I’m scripting this from Portland, OR, so the outcomes don’t listing testing facilities close to me.
COVID-19 testing standards and availability range based mostly on the place you reside, which is why Google is pointing towards native info with these sources. The testing info comes from “authorities companies, public well being departments, or instantly from healthcare establishments,” in accordance with a Google support document.
Google launched a COVID-19 web site with info and sources in regards to the pandemic on March 21st. Google’s sister firm Verily also offers free COVID-19 exams to individuals in elements of California, New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania in the event that they qualify after taking a web-based screening.
Google isn’t the one firm working to make it simpler to search out COVID-19 testing info. Final weekend, Apple launched a website so healthcare suppliers and labs that supply COVID-19 testing can submit their info and seem in Apple Maps search outcomes as testing websites.
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