Location-specific search terms identify a strong correlation between keyword searches on the internet search engine Google Trends and COVID-19 outbreaks in parts of the U.S., according to a study published in Mayo Clinic Proceedings. These correlations were observed up to 16 days prior to the first reported cases in some states.
Mohamad Bydon, a Mayo Clinic neurosurgeon and principal investigator at Mayo’s Neuro-Informatics Laboratory, said in a video that it also appears that people go to Google before they go to their doctor. Since many people initially search for information on these terms, it was easy to identify those hot spots.
