CHIP Verichip (MM)

Company reaches 70% market share in Puerto Rico DELRAY BEACH, Fla., April 5 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- VeriChip Corporation (NASDAQ:CHIP), a provider of RFID systems for healthcare and patient-related needs, announced today that it has installed its 30th infant protection system in Puerto Rico. VeriChip's Hugs or HALO infant protection systems are in use in 30 of the 42 birthing hospitals in Puerto Rico listed by the American Hospital Association. Achieving over 70% market share in Puerto Rico is a reflection of VeriChip's strong distribution network on the island, and the high level of awareness of the infant abduction threat. Electronic infant protection systems are now the norm for hospitals of all sizes, encouraged by legislation enacted by the Puerto Rico legislature in 1999 to require hospitals to invest in infant protection measures. Dan Gunther, president of VeriChip, commented, "We applaud the proactive approach to infant protection taken by so many hospitals in Puerto Rico, and we are proud to partner with these hospitals to help protect their smallest patients. Puerto Rico is setting a strong example for infant protection, not only for the United States, but countries around the world." For more information on VeriChip's healthcare security products, please contact 1-866-559-6275 or email . Additional information can be found online at http://www.verichiphealthcare.com/. About VeriChip Corporation VeriChip Corporation, headquartered in Delray Beach, Florida, develops, markets and sells radio frequency identification, or RFID, systems used to identify, locate and protect people and assets. VeriChip's goal is to become the leading provider of RFID systems for people in the healthcare industry. VeriChip sells passive RFID systems for identification purposes and active RFID systems for local-area location and identification purposes. VeriChip recently began to market its VeriMed(TM) Patient Identification System for rapidly and accurately identifying people who arrive in an emergency room and are unable to communicate. This system uses the first human-implantable passive RFID microchip, the implantable VeriChip(TM), cleared for medical use in October 2004 by the United States Food and Drug Administration. VeriChip Corporation is majority-owned by Applied Digital Inc. (NASDAQ: ADSX), which also owns a majority position in Digital Angel Corporation (AMEX: DOC). For more information on VeriChip, please call 1-800-970-2447, or email . Additional information can be found online at http://www.verichipcorp.com/. Statements about the Company's future expectations, including future revenues and earnings, and all other statements in this press release other than historical facts are "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, and as that term is defined in the Private Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties and are subject to change at any time, and the Company's actual results could differ materially from expected results. The Company undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking statements to reflect subsequently occurring events or circumstances. Contact: VeriChip Corporation The Ruth Group Allison Tomek Nick Laudico (investors) 561-805-8000 (646) 536-7030 Jason Rando (media) (646) 536-7025 DATASOURCE: VeriChip Corporation CONTACT: Allison Tomek, of VeriChip Corporation, +1-561-805-8000, or ; or Investors, Nick Laudico, +1-646-536-7030, or , or Media, Jason Rando, +1-646-536-7025, or , both of The Ruth Group, for VeriChip Corporation Web site: http://www.verichipcorp.com/

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