New Delhi: With increasing cases of  Covid-19  in the national capital, the Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Monday announced that Covid 19 patients in Home isolation will be provided with pulse oximeters so that they keep a track on their oxygen levels. ALSO READ| MMR Vaccine: Can A Common Measles Vaccine Hold The Key To Reduce Severe Symptoms Of Covid 19?

“They can call up the authorities when their oxygen levels are low, and a team will go to their house with oxygen cylinders. If required, they can be shifted to the hospital,"Kejriwal said in a press conference today.

He also said that once the patient recovers these devices can be then returned to the government. The minister also said that testing is being ramped up in the city and the number of tests has gone up to 18,000 daily.

Here is everything to know about oximeter and how to use the device.

What is a pulse oximeter?

This is a small device that helps in determining the oxygen saturation level in your body. Oxygen saturation is an indication of the percentage of hemoglobin carrying oxygen in the body. The device uses red light and infrared light to determine if the oxygen level in the blood is going down as oxygenated and deoxygenated hemoglobin absorbs light in different ways. It is safe and a non-invasive of determining oxygen level in blood.

How is it used?

The device is clipped to your finger and it gives an average of the oxygen level in 6-12 seconds. The oximeter is usually while the patient is at rest. There are other types of oximeter that can be used ar, nose, toe, or forehead. The commonly used oximeter is battery powered and has a small LED screen where the results are displayed. There are some which give more detailed information such as heart rhythm and body temperature.

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Why is it important for Covid 19 patients?

Normally, the blood oxygen level is 95 percent but there is a significant drop in the level when one is suffering from diseases such as pneumonia or other lung diseases. In severe cases of Covid-19, the virus causes pneumonia which can progress and cause Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS) in which the air sacs get filled with fluid leading to shortness of breath and lung failure.

According to medical experts, in some cases of Covid 19, a drop in oxygen level is not accompanied by physical symptoms such as shortness of breath, leaving the patient unaware of the condition. In patients who are suffering from Covid 19, detecting a drop in oxygen level is crucial for timely treatment.