The University of Sydney has launched the Australian arm of a US-led study that is looking at whether data from wearable devices such as smartwatches and activity trackers can provide early indications of COVID-19 and other infectious diseases such as influenza.

The DETECT (Digital Engagement & Tracking for Early Control & Treatment) Australia study is being supported by Fitbit and involves data such as heart rate, step count and sleep patterns being drawn by an app from wearable activity devices like Fitbit, Apple Watch or Garmin.