People urged to take six-minute walk test to check health status

District administrations instructed to create awareness; test not advised for citizens with asthma

As Maharashtra battles with the pandemic amid a shortage of oxygen at many places, the State Health Department has advised citizens to check the functioning of lungs by taking a six-minute walk test. District administrations have been directed to create awareness of the test which can be conducted inside house and by those with symptoms of COVID-19. As per the directions, an individual with novel coronavirus symptoms will have to check their oxygen level by using an oxymeter before taking the test. Then the individual will have to walk for six straight minutes, without a pause, on an even surface with the oxymeter on the finger. After six minutes, if the oxygen level does not go down the individual will be considered healthy.