Can Apple Watch detect COVID-19? All signs point to yes

Apple will launch a study on the Apple Watch's ability to detect covid-19. The research has already started and is called Apple Respiratory Study.

The initiative brings together specialists from the Seattle Flu Study and the University of Washington to try to understand whether it is possible to detect the new coronavirus through everyday gadgets—such as the Apple Watch and iPhone (the same happens, naturally, with refurbished iPhones).

Although it has already started, the research is still looking for volunteers living in the Seattle area who have a "normal or high probability" of contracting respiratory diseases.

The study will last a maximum of six months and aims to understand whether devices such as the Apple Watch are capable of detecting covid-19.

Technology can help detect covid-19

After announcing a new feature—which detects when heart rate is low—the Apple Watch is preparing to lead the way for another innovation.

Participants in this research, which hopes to detect covid-19, must complete some tasks over the next six months, namely:

• Complete short questionnaires weekly in the Apple Research application;
• Be regularly tested for covid-19, including at the beginning of the research. All tests are free;
• Wear an Apple Watch (provided by the company) during the study, day and night.

Apple states that the "aim of the study is to understand whether the information collected by the Apple Watch and iPhone can detect early signs of respiratory diseases such as covid-19. (...) The watch will collect information about your health and activity levels."

It is therefore expected that the research will extend for a maximum of six months. Participants must have an iPhone 6s or higher to be accepted into the study.

Of course, nothing is guaranteed at this stage, but the truth is that this could be a valuable aid in the detection of covid-19 or, indeed, future diseases.

The truth is that independent studies have already been carried out which, through the Apple Watch's heart sensors (already equipped with watchOS 8), detected early signs of diabetes in users—as well as atrial fibrillation.

The capacity of this gadget, combined with the attentive and experienced eye of professionals in the area, can be the right allies to detect problems or diseases early. It remains to be seen whether the same applies to covid-19.