Month: May 2022

Includes asymptomatic testing at community-based facilities to prevent widespread transmissions

Regular testing for COVID-19, flu, RSV crucial for staying safe as anti-virus restrictions are eased

PCR tests will be priced affordably, made possible through Seegene’s 20 years of expertise

“Full support for countries that join Seegene’s campaign to ensure safe return to normalcy”

SEOUL, South Korea, May 25, 2022 /PRNewswire/ — Seegene Inc. (KQ096530), South Korea’s leading molecular diagnostics (MDx) company, today unveiled a global initiative for preemptive and routine PCR testing to help individuals stay safe and healthy while living in the COVID-19 era. Dr. Jong-Yoon Chun, CEO of Seegene, says the initiative is designed to help people safely return to normalcy and contribute to global efforts to terminate COVID-19 and prevent future outbreaks.

There have been reports of an uptick in influenza and everyday colds which had been absent during the two-year pandemic, as countries worldwide ease social distancing restrictions and lift mask mandates. Experts have also warned that potentially dangerous mutations could go unnoticed due to scaled down PCR testing with governments no longer providing them for free. Individuals are now required to monitor their health at their own expense to stay safe.

Seegene’s initiative dubbed ‘In-life PCR,’ entails 1) asymptomatic testing for early virus detection 2) syndromic respiratory testing as anti-virus restrictions are eased and 3) boosting PCR test accessibility through affordable pricing.

• Preemptive asymptomatic testing. PCR tests can identify infected people with mild or even no symptoms. A study by the U.S. CDC found that asymptomatic or presymptomatic individuals are responsible for around 60% of all COVID-19 transmission. Regular asymptomatic testing, even without doctor’s prescription, is expected to help curb widespread infections at community facilities, such as schools, churches, or nursing homes and ensure safe return to normal life.
• Syndromic respiratory testing. Syndromic testing is crucial for determining which virus is responsible for a person’s symptoms and what treatment makes sense. Seegene will provide Allplex™ SARS-CoV-2 FluA/FluB/RSV Assay, which can simultaneously detect SARS-CoV-2 (via the N, RdRP and S gene), influenza A and B, and RSV (A/B). The WHO recommends the screening of at least two target genes for SARS-CoV-2. Seegene’s assay identifies three to maintain detection accuracy if new COVID-19 variants emerge. The six-target assay also includes two internal controls for added accuracy.
• Increased PCR test accessibility and affordability. PCR testing has generally been acknowledged as very expensive. Seegene will work with hospitals and labs so that a test can cost around US$12 to boost accessibility and encourage routine testing. High multiplex technologies that build upon the company’s 20+ years of expertise in molecular diagnostics have enabled Seegene to lower the barrier to access.

“The ‘$12 PCR testing’ campaign is expected to help Seegene deliver its commitment to making molecular diagnostics accessible to anyone,” said Dr. Chun. “I’m certain that routine PCR testing will be the best solution to help end the COVID-19 pandemic. Seegene will provide full support for cities or countries that join hands with us to better track and curb the outbreak.”

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Joint effort will expand access to vision care and deliver free eye care and services

DALLAS, May 24, 2022 /PRNewswire/ — The Vision Impact Institute (VII) is pleased to join a partnership that brings eye care services to vulnerable populations in Panama. The partnership includes Lions Club Penonome, Panama, Universidad Especializada de las Americas (UDELAS) Panama, The School of Optometry at Inter American University of Puerto Rico, Vision for Life – Essilor, Optometry Giving Sight and VOSH International.  Together these groups will conduct comprehensive eye exams, provide glasses, diagnose vision problems, gather data, and create awareness of vision health for approximately 1,500 people in Panama City’s Guna Nega community.

The native groups represent 12% of Panama’s population.  The Guna Nega make up 20% of this population and have limited access to and awareness of vision care services.

“Panama has an estimated 570,000 people with correctable vision loss. This creates a social and economic impact on all populations, including those that are vulnerable,” says Judith Williams, Program Manager, The Americas, VII. “The goal of this collaboration of NGOs, academics, and philanthropists – reaching those who may have no other opportunity to see well – speaks volumes to our commitment to creating a world that prioritizes good vision for all. The VII is thrilled to be a part of this change.”

“In addition to providing humanitarian services, the data obtained will allow us to determine the characteristics of refractive errors and visual health of this community,” say Drs. Héctor Santiago and Damaris Pagán, coordinators of the seven-day visit that includes faculty and students from the School of Optometry of the Inter American University of Puerto Rico.

Eng. Mario Him, District D-1 past Governor of the Lions of Panama, agrees: “This is an extraordinary opportunity for the Lions, together with other collaborators, to serve the visual health needs of the most vulnerable communities in Panama.”

The project will run through the end of 2022.

About the Vision Impact Institute
The Vision Impact Institute’s mission is to raise awareness of the importance of vision correction and protection to make good vision a global priority. The Vision Impact Institute is a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, which receives support from the Vision for Life Fund from Essilor, the world leader in ophthalmic optics.

Contact:
Andrea Kirsten-Coleman
Global Communications Manager
andrea.kirsten@visionimpactinstitute.org

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Featuring dual-band & 5 satellite positioning and powerful battery life up to 24 days^[1], this new wearable can endure any adventure with ease.

LONDON, May 24, 2022 /PRNewswire/ — Global smart wearables brand Amazfit, owned by Zepp Health (NYSE: ZEPP) has created its toughest and most advanced watch to date with the launch of the T-Rex 2. Having passed 15 military-grade toughness tests^[2], the new rugged outdoor GPS smartwatch can accompany users in extremely challenging environments, combining dual-band and 5 satellites and 10 ATM water resistance^[3], making it the perfect companion for outdoor adventurers and sports enthusiasts.

With additional sports modes, new navigation functions and comprehensive health monitoring, the T-Rex 2 supports adventure lovers and outdoor fitness enthusiasts to push their limits no matter how or where they explore.

The T-Rex 2 is the third edition of the Amazfit T-Rex series. The enhanced functions of the T-Rex 2 aim to further allow outdoor loving adventurers, such as surfers and hikers, to record their personalised health data wherever they get their fitness fix.

Never miss an adventure

No adventure is out of reach with the T-Rex 2. The new device supports hikers, climbers, trail runners and adventurers to explore unfamiliar terrain through its route trajectory navigation, real-time navigation, and journey tracking functions^[4]. It also uses direct-return navigation to show the shortest straight line^[5] back to the start of a journey. The built-in barometric altimeter and compass are perfect for those who want to conquer new heights and discover untrodden paths. With the new route import function, users can import pre-selected routes and follow them using the watch.

With dual-band positioning and support for five satellite navigation systems, it can more effectively reduce environmental interference, and achieve faster search speed and more precise positioning^[6].

Ultra-long battery life and added sports modes that reach new depths

As with all Amazfit devices, the battery life is ultra-long lasting and powerful enough to run for 24 days – meaning no adrenaline fuelled wilderness retreat will need to be cut short.

The T-Rex 2 also features 150+ sports modes – now including triathlon, hunting, fishing, golf swing and surfing mode^[7] –  and with a 10 ATM grade can resist water-pressure equivalent to a depth of up to 100m, to accompany wearers as they surf or swim.

24-hour health management at the touch of a button

The watch also has built-in 24-hour health management^[8] functions through its self-developed 6PD (six photodiodes) BioTracker™, so users can get data that matters quickly and effectively. This includes the monitoring of heart rate, blood-oxygen saturation and stress levels all at the same time to get a personalised evaluation. With Amazfit’s easy one-tap measuring^[9], users can also measure four different health metrics^[10] – heart rate, blood-oxygen saturation, stress level and breathing rate – in as little as 45 seconds.

Tough from the inside out

The watch is tough enough to be operated^[11] in temperatures as low as -30°C and resist temperatures as low as -40°C and high as +70°C, proving that it is a trusted companion even under extreme conditions. The Amazfit T-Rex 2 is capable of functioning through heat waves, humid rainforests and polar glaciers.

Design inspired by nature

The four colour palettes are the perfect match for outdoor adventurers and bring style, texture and durability together as one. The clarity of the 1.39″ HD AMOLED colour screen, high resolution and always-on display also means the wearer will never have to stop their activity to track progress or any important information. With a larger screen, it’s never been easier to monitor your data whilst on the move.

The Amazfit T-Rex 2 launches globally on 24^th May, 2022 (GTM+1) with pricing starting from €229.9 in Europe. It will be available for pre-sale on the Amazfit Amazon stores in Italy and France on 1^st June, 2022, and also on the Italy, France and Germany  Amazfit stores on 1^st June, 2022. The Amazfit T-Rex 2 will be made available in more countries throughout June 2022.

For more information, please visit www.amamzfit.com/en/

About Amazfit

Amazfit, a leading global smart wearables brand focused on health and fitness, is part of Zepp Health (NYSE: ZEPP), a health technology company. Offering a wide selection of smartwatches and bands, Amazfit’s brand essence is “Up Your Game”, encouraging users to live their passions and express their active spirits freely. Amazfit is powered by Zepp Health’s proprietary health management platform that delivers cloud-based 24/7 actionable insights and guidance to help users attain their wellness goals. With outstanding craftsmanship, Amazfit smartwatches have won many design awards, including the iF Design Award and the Red Dot Design Award.

Launched in 2015, Amazfit is today embraced by millions of users. Its products are available in more than 90 countries across the Americas, and EMEA and APAC regions. For more information about Amazfit, visit www.amazfit.com. For more information about Zepp Health, visit www.zepphealth.com.

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