1Life, LifeQ and Samsung South Africa Launch Covid-19 Screening App As SA Expected To Enter Third Wave – Samsung Newsroom Germany

JOHANNESBURG, South Africa – June 02, 2021 – 1Life, together with LifeQ, has launched the first Covid-19 screening app in SA with a Samsung Galaxy Watch Active 2 device. It uses unique models derived from users’ biometric data to give them an indication of changes in their health and allow consumers to take proactive precautions in the event of a possible Covid-19 outbreak, which is important since the country is facing a possible third wave of infections. There is growing evidence1 of the use of biometrics in the early detection of many physical conditions, and this Covid-19 solution is the first of many solutions that LifeQ aims to offer to consumers, athletes and those with acute and chronic conditions.

The LifeQ Covid-19 App2 can indicate a possible Covid-19 outbreak in a person entering the dangerous 48-hour phase of virus shedding before symptoms appear, which will help slow the spread of Covid-19 and become Presymptomatic detection of Covid-19 infection, which encourages individuals to isolate sooner rather than later, could prove very helpful.

“Recent studies3 show that biometric data collected on wearables can be used as early warning indicators for Covid-19. This is a great opportunity to empower consumers to make informed decisions based on this data – and help them get timely preventive care or get medical attention, ”said Laurence Hillman, CEO of 1Life. “With 1Life Pulse, which we launched last year, we have already made wearables and biometric data available to end users. The next step is to provide them with the LifeQ Covid-19 screening solution, which gives them security about their well-being, lets them know that they are fine, but also warns them of any detected changes that could signal the outbreak of Covid-19. ”

“The Samsung Galaxy Watch Active 2 is designed to accurately measure users’ heart rate, skin temperature and other physiological indicators. Combined with LifeQ’s unique software and models, the data from the Galaxy Watch Active 2 can be used to detect coronavirus infections days before a person shows symptoms. This is innovation in action and the ability to provide South Africans with critical information before they even show symptoms, cementing the power of technology in modern society and enhancing the value of wearable technology, “said Justin Hume, Director Integrated Mobility, Samsung South Africa .

The LifeQ Covid-19 screening app is designed to help curb the transmission of the virus by alerting people to a possible infection before the onset of symptoms through a combination of physiological monitoring combined with user feedback. Changes in physiology detected by LifeQ using data from the Samsung Galaxy Watch Active 2 alert people to these changes and allow them to provide contextual feedback via a web-based app. The app provides each person with a daily screening status to control their behavior and interactions with others. This will help them make informed decisions about self-isolation and testing.

“One of the biggest problems with Covid-19 is the time when you have the disease and don’t know – not knowing whether you are passing it on to loved ones or work colleagues. With this app, we hope to change that and give people the information they need to be proactive and slow down the rate of infection, ”said Christopher Rimmer, Chief Commercial Officer at LifeQ. “We have so many aspects of our life in hand, but when it comes to health – especially Covid-19 – we often feel helpless and fearful … until now.”

The app ensures that users can monitor their status in order to provide early warning of changes in health and a possible Covid-19 infection. It provides an easy way to know how you are and whether you might get sick.

• A green status signals that you are fine, there seem to be no problems and you can continue your everyday life as normal.
• A yellow status signals that you should exercise caution, adjust your behavior and monitor yourself for symptoms for the next 1-2 days.
• A red status signals that you are not doing well because you have reported either symptoms or a positive Covid-19 test within the app.

The LifeQ Covid-19 app also gives users a pre-infection risk score, which gives an indication of their risk of getting seriously ill if they contract Covid-19.

“This kind of proactive communication with the user about his or her health is revolutionary – not only to reduce the risk of the disease spreading, but also to take the health of the individual and their contact persons into their own hands. We all know that prevention and early detection are critical when it comes to our health and wellbeing, ”continues Hillman.

“There is no doubt that as time goes on, we will learn more and more about Covid-19 and find better ways to prevent transmission beyond social and vaccination measures. As a company constantly striving to change people’s lives, we are very proud to offer this app to our 1Life Pulse policyholders, ”said Hillman.

Disclaimer: It should be noted that the LifeQ Covid-19 screening app and assistive technology are not diagnostic and should not be used as an official diagnosis for Covid-19. All medical and testing protocols must be followed as per local government guidelines.