The color-coded regions of Google Maps let you see COVID-19 spikes near you

• Google Maps has unveiled a new mapping layer that allows users to view color-coded regions by the per capita number of COVID-19 cases.
• The feature aims to help users “make more informed decisions about where to go and what to do.”
• COVID-19 levels begin rolling out for iOS and Android users this week.
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Google on Wednesday launched a new feature that allows app users to view the corresponding Covid-19 case number in Google Maps. Codes the level colors for their number of new cases per 100,000 people by their 7-day average, and shows if the case is trending up or down.

Google’s product manager Sujoy Banerjee wrote in a blog post on Wednesday that the new feature aims to help users “make more informed decisions about where to go and what to do.”

This is not Google’s first attempt to publish life-enhancing features amid the COVID-19 epidemic. In June, Google released several features, including transport warnings that ping users when the government implements an effective service or requires a mask on board. Google also introduced driving warnings that notify users about COVID-19 checkpoints during travel. And for those looking to avoid overcrowded train cars, Google also made it easier to access live data on station business.

Competitors such as Bing and Apple Pal have also worked on epidemic-oriented mapping tools. Bing operates a live COVID-19 tracker with global case data. And in April, both Google and rival Apple Play added COVID-19 test sites to their maps platform. Apple also began making collected mobility data available in April to help governments and health officials formulate policies.

In addition to country-level data in 220 countries and territories of Google Maps, there are also state, county and city levels where data is available. Google cites data from Johns Hopkins, the New York Times and Wikipedia’s Covid-19 data, Google said in a statement.

This covid layer is starting to roll out for iOS and Android users this week. Users can activate the COVID-19 layer on their mobile device by opening Google Maps on their phone, tapping the Layers button, and selecting the Covid-19 information.