DELRAY BEACH, Fla., Jan. 3 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Applied Digital , through its VeriChip Corp. subsidiary, announced that as of December 31, 2006 VeriChip now has a total of 1,209 physicians and 392 medical facilities enrolled in the VeriMed Patient Identification Network. During the six-month period from July to December 2006, the number of participating physicians increased from 275 to 1,209, representing a 340 percent gain. During the same time period, VeriChip recorded a 256 percent increase in the number of medical facilities that have enrolled in the VeriMed Network. This figure is up from 110 facilities in July and includes a gain of 94 hospitals as a result of VeriChip's work with the National Stroke Association. These totals exceed previously stated year-end goals of 200 hospitals and 1000 physicians.

"2006 was an extremely successful year for VeriChip as we witnessed a substantial surge in enrollment in the VeriMed Patient Identification System by hospitals and physicians around the country. Based on the growth over the past six months, it is clear that our marketing efforts at numerous leading medical conferences, coupled with support from several influential organizations, including Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey and the National Stroke Association, have helped to showcase of the value of the VeriMed system in critical care situations," stated Scott R. Silverman, Chairman and CEO of VeriChip Corp. "During 2007, we will continue to work with leading hospitals and influential physicians throughout the country and around the world to integrate the use of VeriMed as standard protocol in the emergency treatment process."

The VeriMed Patient Identification System, which consists of a handheld radio frequency identification (RFID) scanner, an implantable RFID microchip and a secure patient database, is used to help rapidly identify and provide access to important health information on participating patients who arrive at an emergency department unconscious, delirious or unable to communicate. This implantable RFID system is the only system of its type cleared for use for patient identification and health information purposes by the United States Food and Drug Administration.

About Applied Digital - "The Power of Identification Technology"

Applied Digital develops innovative identification and security products for consumer, commercial, and government sectors worldwide. The Company's unique and often proprietary products provide identification and security systems for people, animals, the food supply, government/military arena, and commercial assets. Included in this diversified product line are RFID applications, end-to-end food safety systems, GPS/Satellite communications, and telecomm and security infrastructure, positioning Applied Digital as the leader in identification technology. Applied Digital is the owner of a majority position in Digital Angel Corporation .

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. For more information on VeriChip, please call 1-800-970-2447, or email info@verichipcorp.com. 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: Investors: Nick Laudico The Ruth Group 646-536-7030 nlaudico@theruthgroup.com Media: Jason Rando The Ruth Group 646-536-7025 jrando@theruthgroup.com

CONTACT: Investors - Nick Laudico of The Ruth Group, +1-646-536-7030,
nlaudico@theruthgroup.com; or Media - Jason Rando of The Ruth Group,
+1-646-536-7025, jrando@theruthgroup.com