The main cause of death from COVID-19 is acute respiratory distress syndrome, where the lungs are unable to provide enough oxygen for the body. The treatment is to place these patients on a mechanical ventilator, a device that forces oxygen or medical air into the lungs.
But with infections spreading like wildfire, the number of people requiring mechanical ventilation is skyrocketing. A recurring theme in the health care systems of one country after another is the shortage of ventilators. This leads to heartbreaking stories of doctors forced to decide who receives treatment and who doesn’t.
