The most contagious Covid-19 variant known as P.1 hit New York, according to Governor Andrew Cuomo. The affected patient is a Brooklyn resident, in his 90s, with no travel history.
It was a team of scientists at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York who identified the presence of the variant – first discovered in Japan, among four Brazilian travelers. Subsequently, validating the hospital’s findings, the Department of Health at the Wadsworth Center Laboratories.
“The detection of the Brazilian variant here in New York further underscores the importance of taking all appropriate measures to continue to protect your health,” said Governor Cuomo in a statement. “Although it is normal for a virus to mutate, the best way to protect yourself is to continue to wear a tight-fitting mask, avoid large crowds, social distance, wash your hands and get vaccinated when it’s your turn.”
Although the Covid strain of Brazil was first discovered in the United States in late January, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention subsequently reported a total of 48 cases across the country.
Although more than five million New Yorkers have already received the Covid-19 vaccine, news of the arrival of P.1 in the state comes, with daily cases of coronavirus increasing, as has recently occurred in 20 other states.