3,925 frontline workers vaccinated on Day 2
MUMBAI: On Thursday, 3,925 frontline workers in Maharashtra received vaccines along with 30,982 healthcare workers (HCWS). Following the Centre’s directions, state authorities will administer the second dose of the vaccine to HCWS from February 13. Meanwhile, chief minister (CM) Uddhav Thackeray said the new strains of Covid-19 in the United Kingdom (UK) and Brazil, and the second wave of infections in Europe warranted vigilance.
On the second day of the second phase of the vaccination drive, the inoculation percentage dropped to 57% on Thursday, with 34,907 being vaccinated against the target of 61,322 beneficiaries. The turnout on Wednesday was 62%. Mumbai recorded a 54% turnout, with 4,331 beneficiaries on Thursday compared to 56% (4,839 beneficiaries) on Wednesday.
State authorities are also gearing up to administer the second dose of the vaccine to HCWS. Pradeep Vyas, principal secretary, state health department said, “Those who have received the vaccination will get the second shot after 28 days.” Since January 16, when the drive started, 389,540 have been vaccinated in Maharashtra. According to the state health department, Maharashtra has received 18.2 lakh doses of Covishield and 1.70 lakh doses of Covaxin.
On Thursday, Akola and Palghar recorded turnouts of 116% and 109% respectively. Akola saw 348 workers get vaccinated and 1,309 were inoculated in Palghar. However, 14 of Maharashtra’s 36 districts recorded turnouts lower than 50%.
During a presentation to the Cabinet on Thursday, the CM cautioned against the new strains of Covid-19 reported in the UK and Brazil, and pointed to the second wave of Covid-19 infections in Europe. He said the state has requested the Centre to check travellers coming in from countries with cases of the new strains of Covid-19.
On Thursday, Maharashtra recorded 2,736 new cases and 46 fatalities, taking the Covid tally to 203,600,2 cases and 51,215 fatalities. Of these, 34,862 are active cases.
In Mumbai, 463 new cases and five deaths were reported on Thursday, taking the total to 310,604 cases and 11,380 fatalities.