Can a Wearable Detect COVID-19 Before Symptoms Appear?

A health study conducted by Scripps Research

Download MyDataHelps™ to join the 36,000 already contributing data
Download on the App Store Get it on Google Play
DETECT calendar in the My Data Helps app DETECT calendar in the My Data Helps app DETECT calendar in the My Data Helps app

Your smartwatch or activity tracker might be an early warning system for viral illness, such as COVID-19.

Our scientists recently discovered that changes to your normal sleep, activity level or resting heart rate can be an early indicator that you’re coming down with a virus like the flu or COVID-19. That means your wearable device (for example, a Fitbit, Apple Watch, or Garmin) might be able to tell if you’re getting sick before you even develop symptoms.

We’ve published promising early results in a top medical journal. And DETECT has been featured in People, the Washington Post, and on ESPN.

Nature medicine logo
ESPN logo People logo

Learn about your health

Make a difference. When you join the DETECT health study and confidentially share your information with our scientists, you’ll learn more about your own health, and help us develop new ways to tackle COVID-19.

It’s private and secure. Your name and other private/sensitive information are removed before scientists analyze your information, which is never shared with anyone else. DETECT is a project of Scripps Research, a leading non-profit academic institution and a pioneer in digital health research.

woman checking her wearable device woman checking her wearable device woman checking her wearable device

It’s easy to get started

Just download the MyDataHelps™ app for Apple or Android. If you don’t have a smartwatch or fitness tracker, we might be able to provide one.

My Data Helps app logo
Download MyDataHelps™ to join the 36,000 already contributing data
Download on the App Store Get it on Google Play