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Update: As of September 2020, Google Maps has removed the COVID-19 layer in its app. You can still find COVID-19 geographic infection rates in Google Search.
One of the most effective ways of avoiding COVID-19, in addition to wearing masks, social distancing, and washing your hands, is to stay away from infection hotspots. But those hotspots change frequently so learning where COVID-19 is spreading rapidly can be challenging.
Google Maps is making it easier to find out where COVID-19 hotspots are with an update to its app. A new COVID-19 layer in Google Maps shows infection rates around the world and whether those rates are increasing or decreasing. With this new layer, Google Maps gives you easy access to information that can help you avoid infection hotspots
The Product Manager of Google Maps, Sujoy Banerjee, said in Google’s announcement, “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.”
This COID-19 layer is available in all 220 countries and territories covered by Google Maps.
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How Google Maps COVID-19 Layer Works
The Google Maps COVID-19 layer shows the seven-day average of new COVID cases per 100,000 people for the area of the map you’re viewing. You’ll also see arrows showing whether the infection rates are increasing or decreasing in that area.
Infection rates are color-coded to make analyzing the information easier.
- Grey: Less than 1 case per 100,000
- Yellow: 1-10 cases per 100,000
- Orange: 10-20 cases per 100,000
- Dark orange: 20-30 cases per 100,000
- Red: 30-40 cases per 100,000
- Dark red: 40+ cases per 100,000
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This new layer is available in all 220 countries and territories covered by Google Maps. Infection rates are shown in state or province, county, and city-levels, where Google Maps has access to available data.
How to Use Google Maps COVID-19 Layer
You can open the COVID-19 layer in the Google Maps app to see the infection rates around the world. After you’ve downloaded the app update to your phone or tablet, open the Google Maps app, and tap the Layers icon in the upper right corner of the map.
Next, tap the COIVD-19 Info button in the window that appears.
You’ll see the color-coded COVID-19 layer showing the infection rate on the area you’re viewing. Zoom out to see current hotspots around the world or zoom in to see infection rates in your area.
Where Google Maps Gets Its COVID-19 Data
Google Maps gets its COVID-19 data from:
According to Google Maps, “These sources get data from public health organizations like the World Health Organization, government health ministries, along with state and local health agencies and hospitals. ”
Availability
The COVID-19 layer update to the Google Maps app has just started rolling out and should be available soon in all 220 countries and territories covered by Google Maps. If you open the layers menu in the Google Maps app and don’t see the COVID-19 Info option, you haven’t received this update yet.
Google Maps has not announced whether the COVID-19 layer will be available on the Google Maps website.
Your Thoughts
Do you try to avoid COVID-19 hotspots? Do you think this Google Maps COVID-19 layer is a helpful way to learn about the infection rates in different areas? Will you be using the COVID-19 layer in Google Maps to try to avoid COVID-19 hotspots?
Share your thoughts in the Comments section below!
Hi Carolyn
This is very smart and easy to use for everyone with a smartphone. This way you can easily see if there is an area you should not visit right now.
Hi Thomas, Yes, I now have this update and find it very useful not only to see local COVID trends, but also to see where the hotspots are around the world. I hope this update to Google Maps helps you stay safe from the virus, Thomas.
This new layer will help plan my movment in this pandemic times
Hello Jam, I’m so glad this article was helpful to you. Safe travels!