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Google Maps adds COVID-19 layer showing prevalence, trends

By tapping the icon on the upper right and selecting the "COVID-19 Info" layer Google Apps users can view coronavirus data on their mobile devices.
By tapping the icon on the upper right and selecting the "COVID-19 Info" layer Google Apps users can view coronavirus data on their mobile devices.

Google Maps has added a COVID-19 layer.

On your phone or tablet, you can see the prevalence of coronavirus in different areas.

For the U.S., for instance, counties and states are shaded in colors ranging from gray to dark red. The app shows the daily average over seven days of new cases per 100,000 residents.

It also shows whether case counts are increasing or decreasing.

Much of Central Florida is shaded orange, indicating an average rate of 10 to 20 cases. But Sumter, Seminole and Volusia counties are yellow because they're doing a little better.

Zooming out, the map shows higher numbers and rising case counts in the middle of the country, from Texas to North Dakota and Arkansas to Wisconsin.

Google uses data maintained by Johns Hopkins, the New York Times, Wikipedia and a source in India.

Joe Byrnes came to Central Florida Public Media from the Ocala Star-Banner and The Gainesville Sun, where he worked as a reporter and editor for several years. Joe graduated from Loyola University in New Orleans and turned to journalism after teaching. He enjoys freshwater fishing and family gatherings.