Covid-19 vaccination gives real ammo to Thane, Navi Mumbai policemen

Thane police lost 35 cops in the first wave last year

Vaccination has done wonders for the Thane and Navi Mumbai police. The frontline workers have managed to withstand the second wave of Covid-19 much better compared to last year. With over 90 per cent of their cops vaccinated, the forces have lost one policeman this time.

Despite collectively having nearly 500 cases in the second wave, the two commissionerates have not reported a single cop requiring ICU admission. After India launched its vaccination programme on January 16 with healthcare and frontline workers, about 95 per cent of the 9,500 cops in Thane have been given the first dose, while 79 per cent have been fully vaccinated.

"After the pandemic struck, we suffered a huge loss of lives in our commissionerate. Fortunately, the vaccination drive has changed the scenario," said an officer Thane police commissionerate. "As soon as we were allowed to take a jab, cops came forward. Now except lactating and pregnant policewomen and people who have been advised by doctors not to take it, most of the cops have got inoculated," added the officer.

DCP (HQ) Ganesh Gawde said they lost 35 cops including officers and staff during the first wave. "In the second wave, we have had one casualty. The person too had taken the first jab but had extreme comorbidity. As of now, we have 33 cops under treatment of them 23 are home-isolated. The rest have mild symptoms," he added.

In Navi Mumbai, about 65 per cent of the 5,000 cops have got the first shots and 65 per cent have been fully immunised. The commissionerate has a dedicated wellness team to focus on the health of those who have tested positive since June 2020. While the force lost 11 cops last year, they have turned the table against the virus after vaccination.

"Since November 2020, we have not reported any Covid-19 death in our commissionerate. In fact, after vaccination not a single cop has need ICU admission," said DCP (HQ) Abhijeet Shivthare from Navi Mumbai. "In the second wave, we have seen 154 cases. Currently, we have 48 positive cases of which 2 are in hospital. They too have mild to moderate symptoms."

Vax drive for cops

Navi Mumbai
Total no. of cops - 4,726
1st dose - 4,266 (90.27%)
2nd dose - 2,984 (79.04%)

Until now
Positive - 1,299
Recovered - 1,239
Under treatment - 48
Deaths - 12
2nd wave cases - 154 (no death)

Thane
Total cops - 9,500
1st dose - 8,779 (94.76%)
2nd dose - 7,322 (79.04%)

Till now
Positive - 2,147
Recovered - 2,079
Under treatment - 33 (23 in home isolation)
Deaths - 35
2nd wave cases - 334
Deaths - 1