NY Gov. Cuomo confirms state’s first case

New York state confirmed its first case of a brand new, extra contagious variant of the coronavirus that was initially found in the UK, Gov. Andrew Cuomo mentioned Monday.

The pressure, which has additionally been present in California, Florida and Colorado, is considered extra transmissible however does not seem to make individuals extra sick or enhance the chance of demise from Covid-19, specialists have mentioned.

The case was recognized in a 60-year-old man from Saratoga County who had no journey historical past, Cuomo mentioned throughout a convention name with reporters. The person, who’s now recovering, labored at a jewellery retailer the place three different individuals have additionally examined constructive for Covid-19. The state is investigating whether or not these circumstances had been brought on by the brand new pressure.

Cuomo instructed reporters that the state has performed about 5,000 assessments in seek for the brand new variant, often known as B.1.1.7. Cuomo mentioned he believes it is “way more” widespread than individuals already know.

“If different states may take a look at as a lot as we had been testing and examined for the U.Okay. pressure as a lot as we have examined, they’d be discovering them,” Cuomo mentioned, including that officers have but to detect any circumstances with the pressure within the downstate New York Metropolis space.

U.S. well being officers have mentioned the variant’s arrival within the nation is no surprise, although it may make issues worse if it is allowed to unfold unchecked. 

Whereas the brand new variant does not seem to trigger extra extreme illness in people who find themselves contaminated and present vaccines ought to nonetheless work in opposition to it, it may result in extra hospitalizations because of a rise in circumstances, U.S. Facilities for Illness Management and Prevention mentioned final week. The U.S. can also be on alert for a second new, extremely infectious pressure first present in South Africa, much like the one within the U.Okay., CDC officers mentioned.

“Elevated an infection is an issue, however the elevated hospitalization charge is a sport changer, as a result of if a hospital capability is threatened in a area, then that area must shut down,” Cuomo instructed reporters.

In California, Gov. Gavin Newsom mentioned on Monday that the state has now confirmed six circumstances of the brand new variant, all within the southern a part of the state. One particular person in San Diego County has been hospitalized, he mentioned.

“We think about, in truth, one ought to simply anticipate there will likely be others recognized,” Newsom mentioned throughout a press briefing.

State officers are anticipated to offer an replace by late Tuesday on California’s genomic testing, which is being performed to “perceive extra comprehensively what this pressure seems like and what it has been doing,” Newsom mentioned. He mentioned state well being officers are finishing up contact tracing efforts.

The CDC now requires all airline passengers touring to the USA from the UK to current, earlier than boarding, proof of a unfavorable Covid-19 take a look at taken not more than three days earlier than their departure.

Within the U.Okay. on Monday, Prime Minister Boris Johnson introduced a brand new nationwide lockdown order on England till at the least mid-February in hopes of slowing the unfold of the brand new variant. He mentioned the nation’s high medical officers imagine the pressure is between 50% and 70% extra transmissible in contrast with earlier variations.

“With many of the nation already underneath excessive measures, it is clear that we have to do extra collectively to convey this new variant underneath management whereas our vaccines are rolled out,” Johnson mentioned throughout a televised announcement.

— CNBC’s Riya Bhattacharjee contributed to this report.