TOPSHOT - German Blanco's daughter July, 30, checks on her father as he lies on a couch in the living room connected to an oxygen tank at his home in Callao, Peru on February 4, 2021. - In Peru, with a population of 33 million and more than 1.14 million people infected, daily deaths duplicated to more than a hundred at the end of January. Since May, the country has been facing a shortage of medical oxygen which has led hundreds of inhabitants to queue for up to 72 hours, sleeping in the streets, to buy this gas which the government has declared a "strategic resource". (Photo by ERNESTO BENAVIDES / AFP)

TOPSHOT - Relatives of German Blanco, 60, enters with an oxygen tank to his house in Callao, Peru on February 4, 2021. - In Peru, with a population of 33 million and more than 1.14 million people infected, daily deaths duplicated to more than a hundred at the end of January. Since May, the country has been facing a shortage of medical oxygen which has led hundreds of inhabitants to queue for up to 72 hours, sleeping in the streets, to buy this gas which the government has declared a "strategic resource". (Photo by ERNESTO BENAVIDES / AFP)

German Blanco, 60, lies on a couch in the living room connected to an oxygen tank at his home in Callao, Peru on February 4, 2021. - In Peru, with a population of 33 million and more than 1.14 million people infected, daily deaths duplicated to more than a hundred at the end of January. Since May, the country has been facing a shortage of medical oxygen which has led hundreds of inhabitants to queue for up to 72 hours, sleeping in the streets, to buy this gas which the government has declared a "strategic resource". (Photo by ERNESTO BENAVIDES / AFP)

German Blanco, 60, lies on a couch in the living room connected to an oxygen tank at his home in Callao, Peru on February 4, 2021. - In Peru, with a population of 33 million and more than 1.14 million people infected, daily deaths duplicated to more than a hundred at the end of January. Since May, the country has been facing a shortage of medical oxygen which has led hundreds of inhabitants to queue for up to 72 hours, sleeping in the streets, to buy this gas which the government has declared a "strategic resource". (Photo by ERNESTO BENAVIDES / AFP)

German Blanco's daughter July, 30, checks on her father as he lies on a couch in the living room connected to an oxygen tank at his home in Callao, Peru on February 4, 2021. - In Peru, with a population of 33 million and more than 1.14 million people infected, daily deaths duplicated to more than a hundred at the end of January. Since May, the country has been facing a shortage of medical oxygen which has led hundreds of inhabitants to queue for up to 72 hours, sleeping in the streets, to buy this gas which the government has declared a "strategic resource". (Photo by ERNESTO BENAVIDES / AFP)

Relatives of German Blanco, 60, transport an oxygen tank from Criogas company to his house in Callao, Peru on February 4, 2021. - In Peru, with a population of 33 million and more than 1.14 million people infected, daily deaths duplicated to more than a hundred at the end of January. Since May, the country has been facing a shortage of medical oxygen which has led hundreds of inhabitants to queue for up to 72 hours, sleeping in the streets, to buy this gas which the government has declared a "strategic resource". (Photo by ERNESTO BENAVIDES / AFP)

Relatives of German Blanco, 60, transport an oxygen tank from Criogas company to his house in Callao, Peru on February 4, 2021. - In Peru, with a population of 33 million and more than 1.14 million people infected, daily deaths duplicated to more than a hundred at the end of January. Since May, the country has been facing a shortage of medical oxygen which has led hundreds of inhabitants to queue for up to 72 hours, sleeping in the streets, to buy this gas which the government has declared a "strategic resource". (Photo by ERNESTO BENAVIDES / AFP)

View of the oxygen tank belonging to German Blanco during the three-day queue to be re-filled in Callao, Peru on February 4, 2021. - In Peru, with a population of 33 million and more than 1.14 million people infected, daily deaths duplicated to more than a hundred at the end of January. Since May, the country has been facing a shortage of medical oxygen which has led hundreds of inhabitants to queue for up to 72 hours, sleeping in the streets, to buy this gas which the government has declared a "strategic resource". (Photo by ERNESTO BENAVIDES / AFP)

A worker from Criogas company transfers the oxygen tank belonging to German Blanco to be re-filled after a relative of him queued for three days in Callao, Peru on February 4, 2021. - In Peru, with a population of 33 million and more than 1.14 million people infected, daily deaths duplicated to more than a hundred at the end of January. Since May, the country has been facing a shortage of medical oxygen which has led hundreds of inhabitants to queue for up to 72 hours, sleeping in the streets, to buy this gas which the government has declared a "strategic resource". (Photo by ERNESTO BENAVIDES / AFP)

German Blanco's daughter July, 30, checks on her father as he lies on a couch in the living room connected to an oxygen tank at his home in Callao, Peru on February 4, 2021. - In Peru, with a population of 33 million and more than 1.14 million people infected, daily deaths duplicated to more than a hundred at the end of January. Since May, the country has been facing a shortage of medical oxygen which has led hundreds of inhabitants to queue for up to 72 hours, sleeping in the streets, to buy this gas which the government has declared a "strategic resource". (Photo by ERNESTO BENAVIDES / AFP)

A family member waits at the kitchen of German Blanco (60), as he lie on a sofa in the living room conected to an oxigen bottle at his house in Callao, Peru, on February 04, 2021 - In Peru, with a population of 33 million and more than 1.14 million people infected, daily deaths duplicated to more than a hundred at the end of January. Since May, the country has been facing a shortage of medical oxygen which has led hundreds of inhabitants to queue for up to 72 hours, sleeping in the streets, to buy this gas which the government has declared a "strategic resource". (Photo by ERNESTO BENAVIDES / AFP)

TOPSHOT German Blanco's daughter July, 30, checks on her father as he lies on a couch in the living room connected to an oxygen tank at his home in Callao, Peru on February 4, 2021. - In Peru, with a population of 33 million and more than 1.14 million people infected, daily deaths duplicated to more than a hundred at the end of January. Since May, the country has been facing a shortage of medical oxygen which has led hundreds of inhabitants to queue for up to 72 hours, sleeping in the streets, to buy this gas which the government has declared a "strategic resource". (Photo by ERNESTO BENAVIDES / AFP)

German Blanco, 60, lies on a couch in the living room connected to an oxygen tank at his home in Callao, Peru on February 4, 2021. - In Peru, with a population of 33 million and more than 1.14 million people infected, daily deaths duplicated to more than a hundred at the end of January. Since May, the country has been facing a shortage of medical oxygen which has led hundreds of inhabitants to queue for up to 72 hours, sleeping in the streets, to buy this gas which the government has declared a "strategic resource". (Photo by ERNESTO BENAVIDES / AFP)

A relative of German Blanco, 60, checks the oxygen tank where his is connected to as he lies on a couch in the living room at his home in Callao, Peru on February 4, 2021. - In Peru, with a population of 33 million and more than 1.14 million people infected, daily deaths duplicated to more than a hundred at the end of January. Since May, the country has been facing a shortage of medical oxygen which has led hundreds of inhabitants to queue for up to 72 hours, sleeping in the streets, to buy this gas which the government has declared a "strategic resource". (Photo by ERNESTO BENAVIDES / AFP)

Relatives of German Blanco, 60, enters with an oxygen tank to his house in Callao, Peru on February 4, 2021. - In Peru, with a population of 33 million and more than 1.14 million people infected, daily deaths duplicated to more than a hundred at the end of January. Since May, the country has been facing a shortage of medical oxygen which has led hundreds of inhabitants to queue for up to 72 hours, sleeping in the streets, to buy this gas which the government has declared a "strategic resource". (Photo by ERNESTO BENAVIDES / AFP)

Relatives of German Blanco, 60, transport an oxygen tank from Criogas company to his house in Callao, Peru on February 4, 2021. - In Peru, with a population of 33 million and more than 1.14 million people infected, daily deaths duplicated to more than a hundred at the end of January. Since May, the country has been facing a shortage of medical oxygen which has led hundreds of inhabitants to queue for up to 72 hours, sleeping in the streets, to buy this gas which the government has declared a "strategic resource". (Photo by ERNESTO BENAVIDES / AFP)

View of the oxygen tank belonging to German Blanco during the three-day queue to be re-filled in Callao, Peru on February 4, 2021. - In Peru, with a population of 33 million and more than 1.14 million people infected, daily deaths duplicated to more than a hundred at the end of January. Since May, the country has been facing a shortage of medical oxygen which has led hundreds of inhabitants to queue for up to 72 hours, sleeping in the streets, to buy this gas which the government has declared a "strategic resource". (Photo by ERNESTO BENAVIDES / AFP)

Oxygen tanks donated by Doctors Without Borders (MSF) stand outside the COVID-19 unit of Point G hospital in Bamako, Mali, on February 3, 2021. (Photo by ANNIE RISEMBERG / AFP)

A truck loaded with oxygen tanks and other gases to deliver leaves from an industrial and medical gases supplier company in Tijuana, Baja California state, Mexico on February 3, 2021, amid the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic. - As a new pandemic wave hits Latin America, the region with the second highest number of deaths from COVID-19 in the world, the same scene of desperation repeats itself: people queueing in long lines or paying exorbitant prices for an oxygen tank, while the sick die of asphyxiation in hospitals. (Photo by Guillermo Arias / AFP)

A worker prepares oxygen tanks for costumers at an industrial and medical gases supplier company in Tijuana, Baja California state, Mexico on February 2, 2021, amid the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic. - As a new pandemic wave hits Latin America, the region with the second highest number of deaths from COVID-19 in the world, the same scene of desperation repeats itself: people queueing in long lines or paying exorbitant prices for an oxygen tank, while the sick die of asphyxiation in hospitals. (Photo by Guillermo Arias / AFP)

Alejandro Ccasa prays after waiting three days next to an empty oxygen tank for his uncle who has COVID-19 outside a refill shop where he is the first in line before it opens in Callao, Peru, early Tuesday, Feb. 2, 2021. Ccasa said his family has one large tank and it gives about four hours of oxygen therapy. (AP Photo/Martin Mejia), APTOPIX

TOPSHOT - Dilza Maria Pereira Rodrigues, 71, receives treatment for COVID-19 at her home after 15 days of treatment at the hospital in Manaus, Brazil on January 2, 2021. - As a new pandemic wave hits Latin America, the region with the second highest number of deaths from COVID-19 in the world, the same scene of desperation repeats itself: people queueing in long lines or paying exorbitant prices for an oxygen tank, while the sick die of asphyxiation in hospitals. (Photo by MICHAEL DANTAS / AFP)

TOPSHOT - Dilza Maria Pereira Rodrigues, 71, receives treatment for COVID-19 at her home after 15 days of treatment at the hospital in Manaus, Brazil on January 2, 2021. - As a new pandemic wave hits Latin America, the region with the second highest number of deaths from COVID-19 in the world, the same scene of desperation repeats itself: people queueing in long lines or paying exorbitant prices for an oxygen tank, while the sick die of asphyxiation in hospitals. (Photo by MICHAEL DANTAS / AFP)

Alejandro Ccasa prays after waiting three days next to an empty oxygen tank for his uncle who has COVID-19 outside a refill shop where he is the first in line before it opens in Callao, Peru, early Feb. 2, 2021. Ccasa's uncle died later that day. (AP Photo/Martin Mejia)

A worker gives an oxygen tank to a costumer after refilling it at an industrial and medical gases supplier company in Tijuana, Baja California state, Mexico on February 2, 2021, amid the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic. - As a new pandemic wave hits Latin America, the region with the second highest number of deaths from COVID-19 in the world, the same scene of desperation repeats itself: people queueing in long lines or paying exorbitant prices for an oxygen tank, while the sick die of asphyxiation in hospitals. (Photo by Guillermo Arias / AFP)

View of refilled oxygen tanks outside an industrial and medical gases supplier company in Tijuana, Baja California state, Mexico on February 2, 2021, amid the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic. - As a new pandemic wave hits Latin America, the region with the second highest number of deaths from COVID-19 in the world, the same scene of desperation repeats itself: people queueing in long lines or paying exorbitant prices for an oxygen tank, while the sick die of asphyxiation in hospitals. (Photo by Guillermo Arias / AFP)

Dilza Maria Pereira Rodrigues, 71, receives treatment for COVID-19 at her home after 15 days of treatment at the hospital in Manaus, Brazil on January 2, 2021. - As a new pandemic wave hits Latin America, the region with the second highest number of deaths from COVID-19 in the world, the same scene of desperation repeats itself: people queueing in long lines or paying exorbitant prices for an oxygen tank, while the sick die of asphyxiation in hospitals. (Photo by MICHAEL DANTAS / AFP)

Dilza Maria Pereira Rodrigues, 71, receives treatment for COVID-19 at her home after 15 days of treatment at the hospital in Manaus, Brazil on January 2, 2021. - As a new pandemic wave hits Latin America, the region with the second highest number of deaths from COVID-19 in the world, the same scene of desperation repeats itself: people queueing in long lines or paying exorbitant prices for an oxygen tank, while the sick die of asphyxiation in hospitals. (Photo by MICHAEL DANTAS / AFP)

A health worker dries decontaminated nasal prongs and oxygen face masks at Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital in Blantyre, Malawi on Saturday, Jan. 30, 2021. Malawi faces a resurgence of COVID-19 that is overwhelming the southern African country where a presidential residence and a national stadium have been turned into field hospitals in efforts to save lives. (AP Photo/Thoko Chikondi), APTOPIX

A health worker takes oxygen cylinders to COVID-19 wards at Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital in Blantyre, Malawi, Saturday, Jan. 30, 2021. Malawi faces a resurgence of COVID-19 that is overwhelming the southern African country where a presidential residence and a national stadium have been turned into field hospitals in efforts to save lives. (AP Photo/Thoko Chikondi), APTOPIX

Volunteers from the SOS medical emergency services refill oxygen tanks for free, in Manaus, Brazil on January 30, 2021. - As a new pandemic wave hits Latin America, the region with the second highest number of deaths from COVID-19 in the world, the same scene of desperation repeats itself: people queueing in long lines or paying exorbitant prices for an oxygen tank, while the sick die of asphyxiation in hospitals. (Photo by MICHAEL DANTAS / AFP)

(FILES) In this file photo taken on January 29, 2021 people queue to refill their empty oxygen cylinders in Callao, Peru, amid the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic. - As a new pandemic wave hits Latin America, the region with the second highest number of deaths from COVID-19 in the world, the same scene of desperation repeats itself: people queueing in long lines or paying exorbitant prices for an oxygen tank, while the sick die of asphyxiation in hospitals. (Photo by ERNESTO BENAVIDES / AFP)

(FILES) In this file photo taken on January 29, 2021 people queue to refill their empty oxygen cylinders in Callao, Peru, amid the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic. - As a new pandemic wave hits Latin America, the region with the second highest number of deaths from COVID-19 in the world, the same scene of desperation repeats itself: people queueing in long lines or paying exorbitant prices for an oxygen tank, while the sick die of asphyxiation in hospitals. (Photo by ERNESTO BENAVIDES / AFP)

Thiago Rocha (L), 36, receives treatment for COVID-19 at his home, in Manaus, Brazil on January 28, 2021. - As a new pandemic wave hits Latin America, the region with the second highest number of deaths from COVID-19 in the world, the same scene of desperation repeats itself: people queueing in long lines or paying exorbitant prices for an oxygen tank, while the sick die of asphyxiation in hospitals. (Photo by MICHAEL DANTAS / AFP)

(FILES) In this file photo taken on January 22, 2021 A worker arranges oxygen cylinders at Lagos State Isolation Centre in Yaba, Lagos. - The number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in Nigeria is increasing rapidly following daily reports by the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) even as Lagos, Nigeria's commercial capital, accounted for the highest number of cases in the country. (Photo by PIUS UTOMI EKPEI / AFP)

(FILES) In this file photo taken on January 22, 2021 A COVID-19 patient receives oxygen therapy to treat respiratory challenges at the Lagos State Isolation Centre, in Yaba, Lagos. - The number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in Nigeria is increasing rapidly following daily reports by the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) even as Lagos, Nigeria's commercial capital, accounted for the highest number of cases in the country. (Photo by PIUS UTOMI EKPEI / AFP)

(FILES) In this file photo taken on January 22, 2021 a man holding an oxygen tank waits in line to refill it at the Infra Medica Company in Mexico City. - As a new pandemic wave hits Latin America, the region with the second highest number of deaths from COVID-19 in the world, the same scene of desperation repeats itself: people queueing in long lines or paying exorbitant prices for an oxygen tank, while the sick die of asphyxiation in hospitals. (Photo by RODRIGO ARANGUA / AFP)

(FILES) In this file photo taken on January 17, 2021 men carry an oxygen tank after filling it for a relative infected with COVID-19, due to shortage in medicinal gas following an increase in coronavirus cases, in Guadalajara, Jalisco State, Mexico. - As a new pandemic wave hits Latin America, the region with the second highest number of deaths from COVID-19 in the world, the same scene of desperation repeats itself: people queueing in long lines or paying exorbitant prices for an oxygen tank, while the sick die of asphyxiation in hospitals. (Photo by ULISES RUIZ / AFP)

(FILES) In this file photo taken on January 15, 2021 a man holds an oxygen tank in Manaus, Amazonas State, Brazil, amid the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic. - As a new pandemic wave hits Latin America, the region with the second highest number of deaths from COVID-19 in the world, the same scene of desperation repeats itself: people queueing in long lines or paying exorbitant prices for an oxygen tank, while the sick die of asphyxiation in hospitals. (Photo by Michael DANTAS / AFP)

(FILES) In this file photo taken on January 15, 2021 a man holds an oxygen tank in Manaus, Amazonas State, Brazil, amid the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic. - As a new pandemic wave hits Latin America, the region with the second highest number of deaths from COVID-19 in the world, the same scene of desperation repeats itself: people queueing in long lines or paying exorbitant prices for an oxygen tank, while the sick die of asphyxiation in hospitals. (Photo by Michael DANTAS / AFP)

(FILES) In this file photo taken on July 23, 2020 a patient infected with COVID-19 waits for assistance outside the regional Honorio Delgado Hospital, in the Andean city of Arequipa, south of Peru. - As a new pandemic wave hits Latin America, the region with the second highest number of deaths from COVID-19 in the world, the same scene of desperation repeats itself: people queueing in long lines or paying exorbitant prices for an oxygen tank, while the sick die of asphyxiation in hospitals. (Photo by Diego RAMOS / AFP)

(FILES) In this file photo taken on June 14, 2020 an employee of a private company reviews oxygen tanks to be delivered to the COVID-19 room, outside the almost collapsed General San Felipe Hospital in Tegucigalpa. - As a new pandemic wave hits Latin America, the region with the second highest number of deaths from COVID-19 in the world, the same scene of desperation repeats itself: people queueing in long lines or paying exorbitant prices for an oxygen tank, while the sick die of asphyxiation in hospitals. (Photo by ORLANDO SIERRA / AFP)

AFP presents a photo essay by Ernesto Benavides taken on February 4, 2021 of a Peruvian man struggling with COVID-19 coronavirus and the lack of oxygen in Callao, Peru. - In Peru, with a population of 33 million and more than 1.14 million people infected, daily deaths duplicated to more than a hundred at the end of January. Since May, the country has been facing a shortage of medical oxygen which has led hundreds of inhabitants to queue for up to 72 hours, sleeping in the streets, to buy this gas which the government has declared a "strategic resource". (Photo by Ernesto BENAVIDES / AFP)