World, Florida, where they are being tested regularly for coronavirus, having temperature checks conducted and remaining isolated from the rest of the world in an attempt to keep Covid off the court long enough to finish the 2019-2020 season.
The role of Oura as an early-warning system for Covid-19 was brought to the fore when tech entrepreneur Petri Hollmen was alerted by the Oura app that his readiness score – usually 80-90 – was hovering in the mid-50s. Having just been through a Covid hotspot in, he decided to get tested for the illness, despite having no obvious symptoms. The positive result was a surprise, but it also kick-started a focus on the company that has propelled it into the spotlight.
The opt-in scheme sees people choose to voluntarily share relevant data with an employer administrator through a company-wide dashboard. The dashboard aggregates and analyses key sleep, activity and health insights with a view to detecting illness early and understanding symptoms. Fitbit, for example, has been carrying out similar research into the opportunities offered by fitness trackers in detecting illness. Its newest device, Fitbit Sense, which was announced this week, measures skin temperature, heart health with ECG, as well as stress levels – an issue in the current pandemic – as well as ways to help reduce that stress.It won’t be the only one measuring heart health. The Apple Watch now includes an ECG function, as does Withings’ Move ECG watch.
The health tech company has been plugging away with its smart health devices for years; the pandemic may be the opportunity it needs to bring it to the fore. Its Scan Watch, which is set for release in the coming weeks, will bring in the ability to read oxygen saturation in the blood – another indicator that Covid-19 can impact.