Brooklyn, NY – A case of a Brazilian variant of the coronavirus was first detected in New York on Saturday, according to Governor Andrew Cuomo’s office.
The person testing positive for the variant is a Brooklyn resident in his 90s with no travel history, according to a press release.
The municipal and state health departments are working to obtain more information about the patient and to track the contacts.
The evidence suggests that the Brazilian variant is more infectious, lethal and less effective against vaccines. However, a recent study by the University of Oxford indicated that vaccines may be more effective against the variant than previously thought. The study has not yet been peer-reviewed.
The variant was first detected in the United States in late January.
Cuomo, in the press release, asked New Yorkers to continue social distance and wearing masks and, when possible, get the vaccine.