Google Maps to roll out new Covid-19 layer on app

The new feature will let users see the seven-day average number of confirmed Covid cases in an area

Google Maps will be rolling out a new layer that shows the areas where Covid-19 cases are going up or down.

Google has announced it will soon be making it easier for people to detect Covid-19 hot zones thanks to a new feature it plans to roll out.

Google Maps will be getting a Covid layer on its app which will show the seven-day average number of confirmed coronavirus cases in each area per 100,000 people. Areas of the map will be colour-coded based on case rate and a label will show whether cases are going up or down.

Information and data will come from multiple authoritative sources, including Johns Hopkins, The New York Times and World Health Organisation, as well as government health ministries and local health agencies and hospitals.

“While getting around is more complicated these days, our hope is that these Google Maps features will help you get where you need to be as safely and efficiently as possible. The Covid layer starts rolling out worldwide on Android and iOS this week,” read the blog post by Google.

This is one of many pandemic-related features introduced in Google Maps over the past few months. The app also lists information about takeout options at restaurants and warnings to call ahead to a doctor’s office if you think you might have the illness.

Since the new layer is expected to roll out for Google Maps on Android and iOS this week, it may take a few days before it shows up on your phone.