Apple Launches a Study to Test If Apple Watch Could Detect Early Signs of COVID-19

Apr. 18, 2021

The Apple Watch, being a feature-packed,life-saving device, has beenone of the most popular smartwatchesin the market. Since its initial release, Apple has improved the health-focused watch with features likefall detectionandblood-oxygen monitoring. Now, the Cupertino giant is launching a study to test whether the Apple Watch could detect respiratory illnesses like the Coronavirus or the Flu in an individual or not.

To participate in the study, one should be a resident of the greater Seattle area, be 22 years or older, possess an iPhone 6s or above, speak and read English, and actively commit up to 6 months for the study. And if you qualify for the study and eventually end up participating, you will get an Apple Watch to wear and collect your health data.

Following participation, the Apple Watch will collect your health and activity data. You will also have to answer simple survey questions about your respiratory symptoms and lifestyle on a weekly and monthly basis in the Apple Research app on the iPhone.

During the length of the study, if you fall sick, you will receive a free, at-home nasal swab to test for COVID-19 and/or other respiratory illnesses. Moreover, you will have to take some additional health measurements on your Apple Watch.

Now, if you worry about privacy, Apple says that it will maintain user confidentiality. The company will only disclose and/or link the data to you when you sign theinformed consent form.

The primary aim of the study will be to test whether the Apple Watch and the iPhone could detect early signs of COVID-19 or not. And if the study is successful, Apple might add some features to detect such illnesses to its wearable in the future.

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