Wardha officials using ‘6-minute walk’ test to shortlist Covid-19 suspects

Nagpur: Health officials of Wardha district, where the recovery rate is highest (85%) in Vidarbha region, are using an innovative ‘6-minute walk’ test for people to decide whether they need Covid-19 test or not. In contamination zone of Dattapur area of Wardha, officials conducted this ‘6-minute walk test’ of almost every adult in the zone on June 23 and 24.
“After a walk or cardio for six minutes non-stop, oxygen concentration in human blood changes as body needs more oxygen. Just after completing this walk, we check a person’s blood oxygen circulation levels using a simple pulse oxymeter. If oxygen level falls below 90%, we test the person for Covid-19,” said civil surgeon of Wardha Dr Purushottam Madavi.
This is WHO approved way to shortlist the more ‘at risk’ patients as testing of every individual in the locality/containment area is not always possible. Dr Madavi said even common people can use this method for self-assessment.
“Walk or run for six minutes and check the oxygen levels in blood with pulse oxymeter. If levels are below 95, you need to see a doctor,” he said. The test was conducted in a local garden that ensured physical distancing of participants as well. All of them, including medical officers were wearing masks.
Wardha has 30 patients of Covid-19 till date. Only 14 of them are natives of Wardha district while others are either from other districts or states. Here, Covid-19 patients are being treated at two big hospitals. Covid-19 testing facility is available at two laboratories in Wardha. Together, they can conduct 250 tests per day. Till date, 3643 samples have been tested.
Pulse Oxymeter is a clip-on device that is attached to the fingertip to measure the oxygen level in the body of a person. The oxygen concentration in blood is supposed to be between 95% and 100%. If it falls to 90% or below, the person requires immediate hospitalisation.
Coronavirus attacks respiratory system and if the infection becomes severe, a patient starts feeling breathless. Hence, doctors advise that patients and suspects should keep measuring the oxygen level regularly and contact district health teams if it falls below acceptable level.