Google Doodle says 'thank you' to scientists and researchers working to fight the coronavirus

The animation is part of a series paying tribute to those working to beat Covid-19

Google Doodle. Courtesy Google 

As the world continues to be affected by the spread of Covid-19, Google is using a new doodle to pay tribute to the health workers and researchers fighting coronavirus.

The search engine's famed logo has been turned into an animation with a heart that hops over the letters, with the "e" transformed into one of the academics the brand is paying tribute to.

And this is only the beginning of a series that will pay tribute to people working to fight the pandemic.

"Covid-19 continues to impact communities around the world, people are coming together to help one another now more than ever.

"Over the coming weeks, we’re launching a Doodle series to recognise and honour many of those on the front lines," Google said.

"Today, we’d like to say: 'To all the public health workers and to researchers in the scientific community, thank you.'"

Many Google Doodles are only shown in specific regions, but this one has a high global reach. On Monday, April 6, it is visible in browsers across the world, including in New Zealand, Brazil, Russia and the UAE.

If you click the Google Doodle, you'll be taken to a handy site that details ways to help stop the spread of Covid-19.

The coronavirus safety steps Google gives readers are: 

Do

• Wash your hands regularly for 20 seconds, with soap and water or alcohol-based hand rub
• Cover your nose and mouth with a disposable tissue or flexed elbow when you cough or sneeze
• Avoid close contact (a metre or 3 feet) with people who are unwell
• Stay home and self-isolate from others in the household if you feel unwell

Don't

• Touch your eyes, nose, or mouth if your hands are not clean

This is not Google's first Doodle to pay tribute to the fight against the coronavirus.

On Friday, April 4, the animation had a simple message, for people to stay home to save lives.

On Friday, March 20, the search engine paid tribute to Ignaz Semmelweis, the Hungarian who is credited with discovering the importance of clean hands to our health.

Physician and scientist Semmelweis was born in 1818 and is recognised as one of the pioneers of antiseptic procedures.

Called the "saviour of mothers", Semmelweis introduced hand disinfection standards as a way to drastically cut the incidence of the spread of Puerperal fever – also known as childbed fever – which was common in 19th century hospitals and was often fatal.
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Read more: 

Mufidah Abdul Rahman: Google doodle celebrates one of Egypt's first female lawyers

Who is Mohammed Khadda? Google Doodle pays homage to Algerian artist

Who was Ahmed Khaled Towfik? Google Doodle honours late Egyptian author

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