NEW YORK – New York confirmed the second state laboratory-confirmed case of the South African variant of COVID-19 in a Long Island resident, Governor Andrew Cuomo announced Tuesday. The first case was confirmed Sunday and also on Long Island.
The variant was detected in a person living in Nassau County and was announced two days after the first case of this variant was reported in Nassau County and one week after the first case was found in the area. Tristate in a Connecticut resident who was hospitalized in New York City.
Nassau County and state officials did not provide additional details related to the traceback or potential exposure risk of the two cases found in Nassau County.
On Sunday Nassau County Executive Laura Curran echoed the words of top health officials who say the variants are not believed to be more deadly than the original strain of the virus, but that they are more contagious.
“The best answer is to continue with the tried and true precautions: wear masks, avoid social gatherings, distance yourself, stay home and get tested when sick,” Curran said Sunday.
The B.1.351 strain of the virus was first detected in South Africa in October 2020 and was first reported in the United States in late January 2021. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, (CDC, for its ), have said that preliminary evidence from non-peer-reviewed publications suggests that Moderna’s vaccine “may be less effective” against the South African variant. He warned that more studies are needed.
The first case of variant B.1.351 in the tri-state area was found in a Fairfield County resident, age 60 to 70, who had not recently traveled. With the case of the new variant, as well as more than 150 confirmed cases in the tri-state area of variant B.1.1.7 that was first detected in the UK, health officials urge residents to remain alert and without lowering your guard.
“We are in a race right now, between our ability to vaccinate and these variants that are actively trying to proliferate, and we will only win that race if we stay smart and disciplined,” Cuomo said in a statement last week.
The three main variants of interest, the strains from the UK, South Africa and Brazil, have expanded their reach in the US in recent weeks. The UK strain, which the CDC warned could be predominant in the United States next month, is by far the most prevalent to date, with more than 1,500 cases detected in 42 states.
Governor Cuomo said Tuesday that 18 new cases of the UK variant have been confirmed in New York, bringing the total to date to 154 known cases of the UK variant in the state.
Governor Andrew M. Cuomo broke this news after updating New Yorkers on Tuesday on the state’s progress during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Cuomo reported 5,977 new hospitalizations, 6,654 new COVID-19 cases, and 86 people lost their lives.
Cuomo emphasized that it is important to note that the data released earlier in the week often does not fully reflect the current situation due to lower downloads and test volume over the weekend. Data trends over a period of time, such as using 7-day averages, are a preferred metric, he said.
“The decline in our hospitalization and infection rates is due to the dedication New Yorkers have shown time and again to defeat this invisible enemy,” Governor Cuomo said. “As our rates continue to decline, we are reopening our economy and showing that vaccine distribution can be fair and equitable. The light at the end of the tunnel is getting brighter by the day, but we haven’t gotten there yet. He encouraged New Yorkers to stay vigilant until the war is won – wear a mask, socialize remotely and wash your hands. “
