Google Maps updates with COVID-19 location density info

Romar Fernando

October 7, 2020

• These past few months were not easy for Filipinos, most especially those residing in Metro Manila and had to go to their respective workplaces. It was quite difficult as well for those opening their businesses and several establishments. And it is because of the paranoia made by the COVID-19 pandemic.

  Google makes an update to Google Maps that may help people ease anxiety over daily activities inside and outside homes.

  The navigation application now includes a certain feature that will allow users know how many COVID-19 cases there in a specific location are.

  

  Upon opening the application on your smartphone, just simply tap the layer button on the screen and select ‘COVID-19 info.’

  After tapping that feature, the user will find a seven-day average number of cases per 100,000 people in a specific area, showing that the community transmission of the virus is increasing or decreasing.

  It also indicates whether cases are increasing or decreasing. The layer’s colors indicate:

  Grey: Less than 1 case

  Yellow: 1-10 cases

  Orange: 10-20 cases

  Dark orange: 20-30 cases

  Red: 30-40 cases

  Dark red: 40+ cases

  

  Google Maps is deriving their data from organizations such as Johns Hopkins University, the New York Times, the World Health Organization (WHO), government health departments, and hospitals. And if available, it will also show the city and provincial data.

  Now, we can identify such places to avoid and prevent in case of doing essential services or when driving out of home.

  Are there any other features you want Google to include in their navigation app?

  Stay safe and sound!

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