Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, the disease has been behind all kinds of panic buying behavior, from runs on toilet paper to mask hoarding. Now, as Taiwan faces its worst-yet outbreak, a type of medical device used to monitor blood oxygen saturation is the item in hot demand.
Until recently, not many Taiwanese people outside the medical profession could have told you what a pulse oximeter was. Now, though, these devices are all over the news, and it seems everyone wants one.
Pulse oximeters measure the saturation of oxygen in the blood. They are not as accurate as hospital blood tests, but they are noninvasive and can be used anywhere.
The reason these devices are attracting attention is the frightening fate they can help COVID-19 patients avoid.
The past two weeks have seen over 30 people in Taiwan die of a COVID-19 complication called silent or “happy” hypoxia—a sudden shortage of oxygen without warning signs like shortness of breath.
When it comes to this silent killer, our bodies won’t sound the alarm, but pulse oximeters will, and so they’re potential lifesavers for COVID patients in home quarantine. Fear of this happy hypoxia is so strong, however, that even people who don’t have COVID-19 have been buying up supplies.
If you have one already, here’s what you need to know. COVID patients should test their blood oxygen saturation every one to two hours. If the number is below 95%, that’s bad news, and you’ll need to call for medical help.