Every S'pore household can collect free oximeter from July 5, 2021

From 300 supermarkets and pharmacy outlets.

Zhangxin Zheng| June 24, 2021, 11:44 AM

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The Temasek Foundation will be giving each household in Singapore a free oximeter.

This will allow residents to monitor their blood oxygen levels regularly, as part of its Stay Prepared initiative, with the emergence of new and more infectious Covid-19 variants.

What the oximeter will look like:

via Temasek Foundation.

via Temasek Foundation.

Residents can collect the free oximeter from 300 supermarkets and pharmacy outlets from July 5 to August 5. These include NTUC FairPrice, Sheng Siong, Giant, Cold Storage, Watsons, Unity and Guardian outlets.

A leaflet with a redemption tab will be sent to letterboxes of every household by Saturday, July 3.

The press release stated that “silent pneumonia” is one of the most serious consequences of Covid-19.

Seriously ill people can feel well despite the levels of oxygen being dangerously low.

For example, if you observe your oxygen level is below 90 percent, you should go to an A&E department immediately, Temasek Foundation said.

Do note that the readings might be inaccurate due to trembling hands or the use of nail varnish, according to FDA Safety Communication.

Photo from Temasek Foundation.

The oximeter will help alert people to seek medical attention when the oxygen levels become dangerously low.

That said, Temasek Foundation added that blood oxygen level readings cannot and do not replace a Covid-19 test. Low blood oxygen levels could be due to other reasons.

Top image by Temasek Foundation