NASSAU COUNTY, N.Y. (WKBW) — Gov. Cuomo's Office announced on Sunday that the first case of the South African variant of COVID-19 was found in New York State.
The governor's office says the variant was found in a Nassau County resident, after testing took place in New York City and was confirmed by the Wadsworth Center in Albany.
"We continue to see a reduction in positivity and hospitalizations throughout the state, which is good news, and this progress is allowing us to reopen the valve on our economy even further," Governor Cuomo said. "But with the discovery of a case of the South African variant in the state, it's more important than ever for New Yorkers to stay vigilant, wear masks, wash hands and stay socially distanced. We are in a race right now — between our ability to vaccinate and these variants which are actively trying to proliferate — and we will only win that race if we stay smart and disciplined."
The CDC says there's no current evidence to suggest that the variant causes more serious illness than any other mutation of COVID-19.
