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All Poles with COVID-19 to be monitored remotely using pulse oximeters: health minister

30.11.2020 13:15
All Poles suffering from COVID-19 will be monitored remotely from their homes using special finger-clip devices called pulse oximeters, under a new plan announced by the country’s health minister.
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  • All Poles with COVID-19 to be monitored remotely using pulse oximeters
Polands Health Minister Adam Niedzielski holds a news conference on Monday.
Poland's Health Minister Adam Niedzielski holds a news conference on Monday.Photo: PAP/Marcin Obara

As part of the Home Medical Care project, all citizens who test positive for COVID-19 will be provided with free pulse oximeters delivered to their doorstep by the state postal service Poczta Polska, Health Minister Adam Niedzielski told reporters on Monday.

Using these devices, patients will be able to measure their oxygen saturation level and heart rate and send the data to their doctors through a special app called PulsoCare, Niedzielski said.

A pulse oximeter is a small monitoring device that enables a patient to measure their oxygen saturation level and heart rate. A pulse oximeter is a small monitoring device that enables a patient to measure their oxygen saturation level and heart rate. Photo: PAP/EPA/Carlos Lemos

Patients aged over 55 with a confirmed coronavirus infection will be automatically included in the program. Meanwhile, younger patients will need to go through an online qualifying process, public broadcaster Polish Radio’s IAR news agency reported.

Poland on Monday reported 5,733 fresh coronavirus infections and 121 additional deaths, a marked drop from recent daily levels, bringing its total number of cases to 990,811 and fatalities to 17,150.

Deputy Health Minister Waldemar Kraska told the media at the weekend that Poland was preparing to handle a possible "third wave" of the coronavirus early next year.

(gs)

Source: IAR

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