On Friday, the cumulative number of Covid-19 vaccine doses administered in the country crossed 2.80 crores, the Health Ministry said. A total of 2,80,05,817 vaccine doses have been given, as per the provisional report till 8 pm. These include jabs 72,84,406 health care workers who have taken the first dose and 41,76,446 who have taken the second dose, while 72,15,815 frontline workers have been administered the first dose, and 9,28,751 the second dose.

A total of 71,69,695 beneficiaries more than 60 years old and 12,30,704 beneficiaries aged 45 and above with specific co-morbidities have also taken the vaccine. The 56th day of nationwide vaccination registered a total of 18,40,897 vaccine doses till 8 pm.

Out of these, 14,64,779 beneficiaries were vaccinated with the first dose and 3,76,118 health care workers and frontline workers received the second dose of vaccine as per the provisional report.

The countrywide vaccination drive was rolled out on January 16 and vaccination of the frontline workers started on February 2. The next phase of vaccination has commenced from March 1 for those who are over 60 years of age and for people aged 45 and above with specified co-morbid conditions.

Rising cases and restrictions in Maharashtra

In Thane, a lockdown between March 13 and 31 was declared on Monday. Eleven hotspots were identified in Thane city by the civic administration, officials said. Standard operating procedure for this same is expected to be released soon.

On Friday, amid the surging cases across the state the Pune local administration imposed a night curfew in the district from 11 pm to 6 am. The administration also announced that all schools, colleges and other educational institutions will remain closed till March 31.

Meanwhile, Nagpur is under a lockdown from March 15 to 21. During the duration of the lockdown, the government offices are expected to run with 25 per cent capacity and private offices will be shut. Moreover, only essential services will be allowed.

Nashik district administration also imposed various restrictions starting 9 March. Because of the steep upwards line in the COVID-19 cases graph, the district has ordered that all the shops and establishments - except those engaged in essential services - will be closed from 7 pm to 7 am. To curb major public gatherings the district authorities have also announced that there would be no weddings from March 15. Those events, however, where permission was obtained earlier will be allowed.

(With Inputs from IANS)