Two new mutant cases of COVID-19 involving the “strain that took a plane in the UK and flew to New York” have been reported on Long Island.
Both cases have been reported in Suffolk County, along with two others linked to the initial outbreak of the variant strain in upstate New York, bringing the total to more than 20 cases.
New York Governor Andrew Cuomo noted on Wednesday, January 20, that a year has passed since the first COVID-19 case was confirmed in Washington.
“It’s been a year, so let’s learn a lesson in life that it’s okay to get hit on the butt, but let’s take some advice from that, get up and learn the lesson that hit you in the butt,” said Cuomo during a COVID-19 briefing in Albany on Wednesday. “This country did not do that. We know that this virus is mutating, so let’s learn.
“So far, mutant strains are different and more dangerous than this strain in the UK,” he continued. “The CDC casually mentioned that this UK strain may take over in March and, if it does, we will see our (skyrocketing) infection rate.”
Cuomo also warned that there are probably other mutant strains from Brazil and South Africa that are already in New York, although no cases have been confirmed.
The governor noted that the Wadsworth Center is testing new strains, although none have been positively identified.
“It is only a matter of time before there is a strain that is much more lethal and, unfortunately, I believe that it is necessary to anticipate a strain that is resistant to the vaccine,” said Cuomo. “It is almost a matter of probability.
“There may be a strain that requires a new vaccine, it is a possibility,” he added. “We have done so much work with vaccines that it is possible that we can present a new vaccine quickly, but then we will have to administer it.”
Cuomo reiterated his call that all international travelers entering the country, specifically New York, must receive and pass a COVID-19 test before they can get on or off a plane.
“We are playing Russian roulette with this virus … We know that it is mutating around the world, so why do we still allow international people to fly to our airport without testing?”, He asked. “It’s a year later … Why didn’t we learn the lesson from a year ago, that’s how New York ended up in that situation.
“Why wouldn’t you say to all international travelers, ‘You need to be tested,'” added Cuomo. “It’s just basic common sense and realizing the lessons that we should have learned last year.”
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