South Africa variant of Covid first detected in New York resident

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

The governor told a news conference that the mutation, which experts say may be resistant to certain vaccines, has been detected in a resident of Nassau County. The announcement comes days after a Connecticut resident tested positive for the variant at a New York City hospital.

“It’s more important than ever for New Yorkers to stay alert, wear masks, wash their hands and stay socially aloof. We’re in a race right now, between our ability to vaccinate and these variations that are actively trying to proliferate, and we’ll only win this race if we stay smart and disciplined, ”Cuomo said.

The South African variant, known as B.1.351, was first detected in the United States in late January and has been 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 particularly worrying strains the agency is monitoring, along with variants first identified in the UK and Japan.

The CDC said preliminary evidence from non-peer reviewed publications suggests the Moderna vaccine “may be less effective” against the South African variant. He warned that more studies are needed.

The Moderna 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 comes as the number of new daily cases and hospitalizations in New York City and the country continues to decline. Some public health experts have warned that the new mutations, which are believed to be more transmissible, could lead to a reversal of these trends.