WVU and partners develop wearable biometric platform for early COVID-19 symptom prediction

The West Virginia University Rockefeller Neuroscience Institute (RNI) and WVU Medicine in partnership with Oura Health have developed a biometric digital platform that detects COVID-19 symptoms three days before they are noticeable, the institute announced.

The system would be valuable in detecting asymptomatic individuals that carry the virus and inform them before they spread it in the community. To predict symptoms such as fever, coughing, breathing difficulties and fatigue, the platform leverages Oura Ring, a biometric wearable, and AI models that have over 90 percent accuracy, RNI claims.

The project to determine if Oura Rings worn by frontline healthcare workers could provide early COVID019 detection through tracking body temperature, heart rate and behavioral biometric assessments of stress and anxiety, memory, human resilience and recovery was launched just a few months ago.

“The holistic and integrated neuroscience platform developed by the RNI continuously monitors the human operating system, which allows for the accurate prediction of the onset of viral infection symptoms associated with COVID-19,” said Ali Rezai, M.D., executive chair of the WVU Rockefeller Neuroscience Institute, in a prepared statement. “We feel this platform will be integral to protecting our healthcare workers, first responders, and communities as we adjust to life in the COVID-19 era.”

The national study was launched in partnership with Oura Health with over 600 healthcare professionals and first responders taking part in the first phase. Other partners include Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia, Vanderbilt University in Nashville, and other institutions across West Virginia, New York City, and California. Future plans include expanding to over 10,000 participants.

Integration with AI models delivers real-time insights and predictions through 24/7 non-invasive and secure monitoring.

“We are hopeful that Oura’s technology will advance how people identify and understand our body’s most nuanced physiological signals and warning signs, as they relate to infectious diseases like COVID-19,” said Harpreet Rai, CEO of Oura Health, in a prepared statement. “Partnering with the Rockefeller Neuroscience Institute on this important study helps fulfill Oura’s vision of offering data for the public good and empowering individuals with the personal insights needed to lead healthier lives.”

The team is preparing for the second stage of the study by revealing the location of reported symptoms. The RNI app is available at WVUMedicine.org/RNI/COVID19.

Article Topics

AI  |  artificial intelligence  |  behavioral biometrics  |  biometric data  |  biometrics  |  data collection  |  fever detection  |  heartbeat biometrics  |  research and development  |  wearables