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Fitbit Claims Early Covid-19 Detection Capability

Fitbit claims their devices  might be able to detect COVID-19 in people before they even start to feel symptoms, according to early findings from the company’s study, which has yet to be peer-reviewed by a medical journal.

• Fitbit is assessing the "physiological signs associated with COVID-19 measured using wearable devices", with the purpose of creating an algorithm that can detect COVID-19 and other diseases before symptoms start. It began the trials in May this year. 
• These results are really promising, and although yet to be peer-reviewed, could prove the worth of wearable devices well beyond the usefulness of telling the time or letting you know how many steps you've taken.
• Fitbit, Apple, and others are increasing the "health" capabilities of smartwatches and fitness trackers and this announcements could catapult thinking of new applications.

According to Fitbit, researchers found that, in many instances, heart rate variability decreased - while resting heart rate and breathing rate increased - in people who reported COVID-19 symptoms. Armed with this data, Fitbit said its wearables, with 70% specificity, could detect nearly 50% of COVID-19 cases one day before participants reported symptoms. The system isn't foolproof but could be a useful early warning sign. The data, and sheer scale of potential users to be part of trials like these, could be invaluable to researchers. From: Pocket-lint