Apps aren’t a reliable way to measure blood oxygen levels

Photo by: Jeffrey Greenberg/Universal Images Group via Getty Images

Doctors say one of the best ways to monitor patients with COVID-19 is by tracking their blood oxygen levels, which can show when they have dangerous breathing problems — even if they don’t feel short of breath. But along with toilet paper and digital thermometers, devices that measure those levels, called pulse oximeters, are hard to find. They’re either sold out or taking weeks to ship from major retailers.
With the devices out of reach, people are turning to questionable alternatives: the third most popular paid iPhone app last week claims to be able to measure blood oxygen levels through the phone’s camera, despite a disclaimer that says the app is not a medical device. On Reddit, some people fighting off COVID-19 say they’re using a…

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