Monitor your oxygen levels at home if you have COVID-19

If you currently have COVID-19 and are at higher risk, you may be eligible for a free pulse oximeter to help monitor your oxygen levels at home.

Pulse oximeters are being provided to patients as part of the NHS response to COVID-19. This service supports people at home who have been diagnosed with coronavirus and are most at risk of becoming seriously unwell.

A pulse oximeter is a device that clips on your finger to check the level of oxygen in your blood.

Low levels of oxygen in your blood can be a sign you’re getting worse. A pulse oximeter can help you spot this before you feel breathless or have any other symptoms, so you can get help quickly.

You may be eligible for a free pulse oximeter if you are diagnosed with COVID-19 (either clinically or positive test result), are symptomatic, and are either:

• aged 65 years or older
• under 65 years and at higher risk from COVID-19
• pregnant

If you have coronavirus and think you are eligible for the service, please contact your GP.

If you’ve been given a pulse oximeter to use, watch this NHS video about how to use a pulse oximeter and when to get help.

An NHS Easy Read guide to using a pulse oximeter is also available here.

For more information about COVID pulse oximetry, visit the NHS website.