Video: How are mobile Covid-19 test stations deployed in the US?

While the Covid-19 epidemic is spreading strongly in the US with more than 123,000 cases and 2,229 deaths, extensive testing is the target they are aiming for. Verily, the life sciences division of Alphabet, the parent company of Google, is deploying mobile testing stations in California.

These stations are part of a project called Project Baseline COVID-19, which is basically the same as the driving test stations in Korea. Those who want to test for corona virus simply register an online screening form on Verily's website.

Then, the system will automatically screen for epidemiological factors to confirm the risk of infection and make an appointment for you. Test location and time will be resent via email. Then, you just need to be on time, drive through these test stations, it takes a few minutes to perform your test.

Verily made a video that instructed the American people about their testing process and steps:

The process of driving through Verily's corona virus testing station

In the video, the project representative of Verily said that their testing area is divided into 3 stations. You will drive to and stop at the first stop for staff to check your identity and confirm the appointment. At this station, you must close the glass window to ensure safety.

Once your appointment and identity have been confirmed, you will drive to the second station. Here, another employee will write your ID on the test kit and clip it to your windshield. You still don't need to open the glass door to touch anything outside.

Finally, in step three, you drive into a sample collection station. At this step, you are asked to lower your glasses and tilt your head back, so that the medical staff can take the nose swab and collect the sample.

Your task here is all, you can lower the glass and drive home. In the meantime, your sample will be sent to the laboratory for analysis.

Results will be sent to you within 2-4 days, or may take longer, depending on lab capacity.

In the event that you are positive for corona virus, a health care provider will call you to inform and advise what you should do next. In case of a negative result, you will receive it via email.

Verily is currently working hard to continue expanding and deploying its mobile testing stations throughout the United States. Despite this, there are still concerns about collecting and processing user data.

Last week, five Democratic senators sent letters to Google CEO Sundar Pichai and Vice President Mike Pence, expressing concern that Verily is putting everyone's data at risk.

Verily told Business Insider that the testers' data will be stored separately from other Google products, and they will delete all user data after the COVID-19 screening program ends.

However, Verily acknowledges that they share some user data with third parties including Salesforce to help its customer service team contact individuals involved in the testing. Customers can also ask Verily to retain data for themselves, in this case, they will not delete them.