Stanford University and Apple Partner on New COVID-19 App for First Responders - MacRumors
Skip to Content

Stanford University and Apple Partner on New COVID-19 App for First Responders

Stanford University and Apple have partnered on a new iPhone app that provides police officers, firefighters, and paramedics in the Bay Area with up-to-date information and safety practices related to the COVID-19 pandemic, as noted by CNBC.

stanford first responders app
The app includes a screening questionnaire to help first responders determine if they should be tested for the coronavirus, based on their symptoms, medical history, and exposure. If the app recommends testing, the first responder can schedule a high-priority appointment for drive-through testing at seven Stanford Health Care locations.

The app, which uses Apple's ResearchKit and CareKit frameworks, also includes up-to-date information about COVID-19 from Stanford experts, including a list of frequently-asked questions, a guide with best practices to stay protected, and weekly videos with the latest information on the pandemic and its implications.

In the future, Stanford hopes to expand high-priority testing to frontline essential service workers, such as grocery store clerks and public service personnel.

The new First Responder COVID-19 Guide app is available on the App Store.

Popular Stories

Apple Logo Gradient 16x9 1

Apple Just Made an Extremely Rare Product Announcement

Thursday August 27, 2026 7:58 am PDT by
The new Mac mini and Mac Studio models unveiled by Apple this week are the company's first new Macs announced in August since 2020. It is extremely rare for Apple to announce new products of any kind in August, excluding smaller things like new color options and accessories. As mentioned, Apple's last notable August product announcement was in 2020, when it updated the 27-inch iMac and a...
Surprise and Shine Feature

Apple Event Announced for September 9: 'Surprise and Shine'

Wednesday August 26, 2026 9:02 am PDT by
Apple plans to hold its annual iPhone-centric event on Wednesday, September 9 at the Apple Park campus in Cupertino, California. The event will begin at 10:00 a.m. Pacific Time, with select members of the media invited to attend. Subscribe to the MacRumors YouTube channel for more videos. The September 2026 iPhone event will see Apple announce the iPhone 18 Pro, the iPhone 18 Pro Max, and the ...
Apple Event Logo

Apple Unveiled Four New Products Today

Tuesday August 25, 2026 8:39 am PDT by
Apple today unveiled a new Mac mini with M6 and M5 Pro chip options, a new Mac Studio with M5 Max and M5 Ultra chip options, a new version of the Polishing Cloth with a lower price, and updated Magic Keyboards for Macs. To learn more about these products, read our coverage below: Apple Announces New Mac Mini With M6 and M5 Pro Chips and More Apple Unveils New Mac Studio With M5 Max and M5...

Top Rated Comments

Buran Avatar
83 months ago
Gatekeeping testing is exactly how this virus is continuing to spread unnoticed given asymptomatic transmission. We need widespread testing, even of those who don't feel sick.
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
pdaholic Avatar
83 months ago

The dirty little secret behind all the accolades for the medical folks is that they’re quitting in record numbers, because they don’t feel like being exposed to a high level pathogen, essentially suicide missions, while making less than plumbers, in the orders of idiot administrators hanging out teleconferencing from their comfy chairs at home. Idiot administrators who had months of warning to obtain adequate PPE and did nothing because it might eat into their bonuses.
And there are those of us who continue to go out of a sense of obligation...yet I have not been given any “accolades” which you speak of...
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
83 months ago
The dirty little secret behind all the accolades for the medical folks is that they’re quitting in record numbers, because they don’t feel like being exposed to a high level pathogen, essentially suicide missions, while making less than plumbers, in the orders of idiot administrators hanging out teleconferencing from their comfy chairs at home. Idiot administrators who had months of warning to obtain adequate PPE and did nothing because it might eat into their bonuses.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Justanotherfanboy Avatar
83 months ago

The dirty little secret behind all the accolades for the medical folks is that they’re quitting in record numbers, because they don’t feel like being exposed to a high level pathogen, essentially suicide missions, while making less than plumbers, in the orders of idiot administrators hanging out teleconferencing from their comfy chairs at home. Idiot administrators who had months of warning to obtain adequate PPE and did nothing because it might eat into their bonuses.
Ok bud.
Yeah, hospital staff is primarily made up of people over the age of 65, with weakened immune systems… & just going to work is an “essential suicide mission”.
Jesus, hyperbolize much??
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)
83 months ago
I wonder what role smartphone touchscreens have played in the spread of viruses such as COVID-19. Some viruses such as SARS and MERS can survive on glass for up to 9 days ('https://www.journalofhospitalinfection.com/article/S0195-6701(20)30046-3/fulltext'). I've gotten into the routine of cleaning my iPhone screen and body with an alcohol wipe after washing my hands.
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)