Lead Investigators:

Apurv Soni, MD, PhD, David McManus, MD, ScM, John Broach, MD

The Status Quo:

Current rapid antigen tests face scrutiny due to performance issues with different variants and concerns over delayed diagnosis or antigen rebound. Swab-based testing remains the primary method for detecting SARS-CoV-2 infection.

What We Study:

The STOP COVID-19 study investigates how antigen tests compare to PCR tests for detecting the SARS-CoV-2 virus after symptom onset. Additionally, the study explores the use of symptom tracking, wearable sensors, and other data inputs to improve virus detection after symptoms begin.

How We Innovate:

We use a siteless design, enabling participation from anyone with a smartphone in the USA. Key innovations include:

• Bring Your Own Device: Participants connect their smart devices to the MyDataHelps app by CareEvolution.
  
  
  
• Symptom Diary: Users log symptoms and track statistics using the Symptom Shark tool within the app.
  
  
  
• Home PCR Testing: Home-based PCR kits from Quest Diagnostics allow molecular virus confirmation and variant analysis.