Right now, getting a test for the COVID-19 virus means having to go to the hospital or a testing center and get a physical swab, but the question is, how do you know if you might need to get tested? After all, some of the symptoms of a COVID-19 infection are similar to the flu, although there are more subtle symptoms like losing your sense of smell and taste, to more severe ones like being short of breath.
But Fitbit thinks it can help, or at least they are hoping that they will be able to do something about it.
The company has since announced that they will be partnering up with the Scripps Research Translational Institute and the Stanford Medicine Healthcare Innovation Lab to see if based on data gathered by wearables, if they can develop an algorithm that might be capable of detecting an early onset of the flu or the COVID-19 virus.
If this sounds like something you might be interested in, here’s how you can take part in the study.
Requirements
To participate in Fitbit’s COVID-19 early detection study, there are a few requirements that you’ll have to meet:
- Be over the age of 21
- Live in either the United States or Canada
- Have or have had COVID-19 symptoms or symptoms consistent with the flu
How to take part in Fitbit’s COVID-19 early detection study
- Download and launch the Fitbit app (iOS / Android)
- Go to the Discover tab
- Look for Assessments & Reports
- Select Fitbit COVID-19 Study
- Tap Get Started
- Fill up the questionnaire and submit it along with other data gathered by your Fitbit
This questionnaire will take you a couple of minutes to complete and will consist of questions related to any symptoms you might have or have had, your medical history, and demographics. Fitbit claims that users are more than free to withdraw from the study at any time they wish.