Hypoxia is a deficiency of oxygen in tissues. the term is usually confused with anoxia which means a complete absence of oxygen in tissues. Hypoxia deprives the tissues an essential requirement for metabolism. the brain, which normally utilizes about 20% of the total oxygen consumed is very sensitive to hypoxia.
The initial signs of hypoxia include dizziness, nausea, disorientation, loss of memory and blurred vision. if prolonged, hypoxia may lead to severe and sometimes permanent changes in the brain.
This necessitates Covid-19 patients to be rushed into ICU like the UK Prime Minister Boris Jonson