Two cases of a coronavirus variant originating in the United Kingdom and considered significantly more contagious have been identified in New York City.
Mayor Bill de Blasio announced the news on Wednesday morning, during a press conference at City Hall. It is the first time that health officials have discovered the variant, officially known as B.1.1.7., In New York City.
Dr. Dave Chokshi, the city’s health commissioner, said that one case involved a Manhattan resident, while the other involved someone from Queens. Both were originally diagnosed in late December, he said. Their samples were then subjected to genetic sequencing.
Health officials learned of the results of that process on Wednesday, he said.
The cases would be handled by the city’s testing and tracking program. Chokshi did not provide further details, including whether the two individuals had recently traveled to the UK
In all, health officials found 15 cases of the variant across the state, with the first being a worker at a jewelry store in Saratoga Springs who had no travel history. At least 10 US states and 50 countries are known to have cases of the variant.
US health experts are increasingly concerned that the spread of the community is now taking the cases. Some preliminary findings suggest that while the variant does not cause more serious illnesses, it is 50% more transmissible, on average, than the original strain, according to researchers at Imperial College London. In the United Kingdom, which has better surveillance of viral mutations, the variant has encouraged stricter closures and restrictions.
On Wednesday, federal officials announced that all international passengers coming to the United States will first need to present proof of a negative coronavirus test, a move that reduces, but does not entirely eliminate, the risk of the virus spreading to the country. .
Blasio’s mayor has asked the federal government to go further, banning all travelers from Britain.
“We need these canceled flights,” he said on Wednesday.
He said that older New Yorkers and those with pre-existing health problems should now be especially cautious.
“Don’t take any chances,” said de Blasio.
Dr. Jay Varma, the mayor’s chief health advisor, said the variant was a “very urgent and real concern” for the city. He said there is also a “theoretical concern” that people with compromised immune systems may be more likely to have mutations in the virus.
City health officials said people should redouble their efforts to protect themselves from the virus, including wearing a mask, social distance and examinations.
Other health experts said they were not surprised by news of the variant’s discovery in New York City, which continues to see countless domestic and international travelers.
Dr. Denis Nash, an epidemiologist at CUNY, said his first thought was that the new evidence for the variant underscores the importance of accelerating the vaccine’s release in order to limit the potential spread of the virus, including the new variant.
Likewise, Dr. Jeffrey Shaman, professor of environmental health sciences at Columbia University, said the news should encourage the city to increase vaccination among those over 65, especially those with pre-existing illnesses.
“This is the most important target group if we are to avoid hospitalizations and death,” he said.