Google Maps is planning to how users information on coronavirus outbreaks in a selected region.

The new feature comes after other coronavirus-related updates to Maps, including info on crowdedness, COVID-19 transit alerts and travel restrictions.

Users tap the "layers" button on the right hand corner of the map and click on "COVID-19 info".

A seven-day average of new infections per 100,000 people will appear, as will a label indicating whether the cases are trending up or down.

Color coding on maps indicates the density of new cases: Gray indicates no cases in a given region, with yellow representing 1-10 cases, orange 10-20, dark orange 20-30 cases, red 30-40 cases, and dark red indicating more than 40 cases per 100,000 residents.

The COVID layer is being rolled out on Android and iOS.

This Is Local London: Google is pulling the data from the like of John Hopkins and The New York Times to demonstrate the level of Covid-19 cases (Google)Google is pulling the data from the like of John Hopkins and The New York Times to demonstrate the level of Covid-19 cases (Google)

Trending data is visible at the country level for all 220 countries and territories that Google Maps supports, the company said, along with state, county, and city-level data where they're available.

Google says the figures come from multiple sources - including Johns Hopkins, Wikipedia, and the New York Times- that are in turn pulling data from medical centers, state and local governments, and the World Health Organization.

"Many of these sources already power COVID case information in Search, and we're now expanding this data to Google Maps," said Google Maps product manager Sujoy Banerjee in a blog post.

"Our hope is that these Google Maps features will help you get where you need to be as safely and efficiently as possible."

In June, Google Maps began including details about public transit routes being impacted by the pandemic.

It also added driving alerts to notify motorists about COVID-19 checkpoints and restrictions along their route, including when crossing international borders.

Google Maps now also includes health facilities near users that support COVID-19 testing, with an alert reminding users to verify eligibility and facility guidelines to avoid being turned away "or causing additional strain on the local healthcare system".

In some regions, users can also see which restaurants offer delivery and carry out.

This month Google partnered with Apple on contact-tracing software using Bluetooth to alert people if they have been in close proximity with someone diagnosed with COVID-19.

Users can decide whether they want to declare they have tested positive, as well, using a unique PIN to keep their identity anonymous.