Google launches coronavirus website in the US as American tech giants follow similar efforts in China to help combat disease

Alphabet’s Google said on Saturday it launched a United States-focused website with information about coronavirus guidance and testing, as the country works on slowing the spread of the highly contagious virus.

The site (google.com/covid19), which consists of resources and links focused on the potentially deadly respiratory illness Covid-19, will be available in more languages and countries in coming days, Google said in a blog post.

Google Chief Executive Sundar Pichai said in a blog post last Sunday that the search giant was partnering with the US government to create a website by March 16.

However, the launch was delayed as local and national guidance changed significantly from Sunday to Monday and the company had said it would roll out the website later in the week.

Meanwhile, Google on Friday canceled its annual developer conference, two weeks after calling off the in-person portion of the event due to the coronavirus outbreak.

In contrast, Apple has moved its upcoming developers conference to an online-only format.