Google is to release new functionality this week to overlay COVID cases data on Google Maps.
Data from 220 countries will be used to overlay Google Maps, enabling a user to drill down to a location to understand key metrics, such as the seven-day average of new COVID cases per 100,000 people.
The company said the tool would help people make more informed decisions about where to go and assess the risks.
Google, said: “This week, we’re introducing the COVID layer in Maps, a tool that shows critical information about COVID-19 cases in an area so you can make more informed decisions about where to go and what to do.”
“When you open Google Maps, tap on the layers button on the top right hand corner of your screen and click on “COVID-19 info”. You’ll then see a seven-day average of new COVID cases per 100,000 people for the area of the map you’re looking at, and a label that indicates whether the cases are trending up or down. Color coding also helps you easily distinguish the density of new cases in an area. Trending case data is visible at the country level for all 220 countries and territories that Google Maps supports, along with state or province, county, and city-level data where available.”
The data comes from several sources including the World Health Organization, government health ministries, along with state and local health agencies and hospitals.
The COVID layer starts rolling out worldwide on Android and iOS this week.
