NASA to use Fitbits to help prevent COVID-19 spread to astronauts

Team Udayavani, Feb 12, 2021, 3:59 PM IST

US space agency NASA will provide 1,000 of its employees, including 150 astronauts, with Fitbit devices in a pilot program to help prevent the spread of COVID-19.

Under the program, NASA employees will be given the wearable device as well as access to a daily check-in app that can be used to log potential symptoms and other vital health metrics.

As reported by TechCrunch, These stats, along with the self-reported metrics logged by users themselves, including any reports of potential symptoms, will be used by the app to provide individuals in the program with guidance about whether they should go into work, or stay home and take additional measures to find out if they have COVID-19.

Also, Fitbit has already engaged in studies to determine whether its wearable devices and the metrics they log can be useful. But regardless of the results, the device will come in handy to detect initial symptoms of Covid-19