Cuomo confirms detection of new strain of COVID-19 – Telemundo 62

Governor Andrew Cuomo confirmed Monday that the 70% most contagious mutation of the coronavirus, which was first registered in the UKO, was detected in New York.

Cuomo announced Monday that a state laboratory detected the strain, putting New York between four states and 33 countries where the variant has appeared.

The variant was found in Saratoga Springs in upstate New York after processing a sample from a man who works at a jewelry store there, Cuomo said. The president reported that it is a 60-year-old patient.

Three other people working at the store have tested positive for the virus, but it is not yet known whether they also carry the mutated virus from the UK.

Cuomo specified that the patient did not travel, therefore, it is feared that he has contracted the virus within his community.

“I suppose states that are effective in looking for it (the mutation) will find it,” Cuomo said. “I think it is much more widespread than people think.”

The strain does not appear resistant to recently developed coronavirus vaccines. It also doesn’t have a higher death rate, Cuomo said.

“But it is more transmissible, which means a higher positivity rate, a higher infection rate, possibly a higher hospitalization rate,” he detailed.

The store where the patient works was closed from Dec. 24 through Monday, Cuomo said. The president indicated that people who visited the store between December 18 and 24 should take the test.

The strain is likely more widespread than is currently known, but has not appeared in New York City until now, Cuomo added.

“We have done 5,000 tests in the state, we still have not found it in the metropolitan area,” he said.

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