South African Covid variant detected in New York resident for the first time

Governor Andrew Cuomo said on Sunday that a variant of Covid-19 first identified in South Africa arrived in New York.

The governor said at a news conference that the mutation, which experts fear was resistant to some vaccines, was detected in a resident of Nassau County. The announcement came days after a Connecticut resident tested positive for the variant at a New York City hospital.

“It is more important than ever for New Yorkers to remain vigilant, wear masks, wash their hands and remain socially distant. We are in a race now, between our ability to vaccinate and those variants that are actively trying to proliferate, and we will only win that race if we remain smart and disciplined, “said Cuomo.

The South African variant, known as B.1.351, was first detected in the United States in late January and was found in at least 10 states, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. There have been 21 infections reported in the country.

The mutation is one of three strains of particular concern that the agency is monitoring, along with variants first identified in the UK and Japan.

The CDC said preliminary evidence from publications not peer-reviewed suggests that the Modern vaccine “may be less effective” against the South African variant. He warned that more studies are needed.

The Modern vaccine is one of two vaccines approved by the federal government in the United States. Three other vaccines are currently in clinical trials.

Cuomo’s announcement came as the number of new daily cases and hospitalizations in New York and across the country continues to decline. Some public health experts have warned that new mutations, which are believed to be more transmissible, may cause these trends to reverse.