NEW YORK (1010 WINS) – The U.K. and New York City coronavirus variants now represent 51% of new COVID-19 cases in the five boroughs, officials said Wednesday.
“We’re learned a lot in the past week about the situation of variants in New York City,” said Dr. Jay Varma, Mayor Bill de Blasio’s senior adviser for public health, at the mayor's briefing. “Unfortunately, we have found that the new variants of COVID-19 are continuing to spread.”
Varma said that the U.K. variant, called B.1.1.7, and the New York City variant, called B.1.526, “account for 51% of new cases that we have in the city right now.” He referred to B.1.1.7 as a "variant of concern" and B.1.526 as a "variant of interest."
Dr. Dave Chokshi, the city’s health commissioner, said the B.1.526 variant “in particular is increasing in prevalence across New York City,” representing about 39% of all samples sequenced by the Pandemic Response Lab during the most recent week with full data. That’s compared to 31% of all samples with B.1.526 during the prior week.
The B.1.1.7 variant, meanwhile, has increased to 12% of samples analyzed in the most recent week, up from 8% the prior week, according to Chokshi.
“The variants have been detected in samples from across New York City, and indeed in other states as well,” Chokshi said. “That means we need all New Yorkers to pay attention to this, not just New Yorkers that live in a particular neighborhood or borough.”
While the variants are believed to be more infectious, they are not believed to be more deadly or more resistant to the COVID-19 vaccines, officials said.
“Our preliminary analysis does not show that this new strain causes more severe illness or reduces the effectiveness of vaccines,” Varma said of the New York City strain.
Officials said New Yorkers should continue to observe “the safe six,” which is the best way to combat the variants. This includes wearing masks, social distancing, handwashing, getting tested, staying home if ill and getting vaccinated when eligible.
“When you hear about the variants, it’s right to be concerned, and it’s right to want more information, and we're going to continue to provide that information,” de Blasio said. “But what’s most important is to hear what our health care leaders are saying. Practice those simple precautions, get tested regularly, get the vaccine as soon as you can. That’s what makes the difference.”
The rise in new variants comes even as there have been “major” declines in deaths and hospitalizations in the city and as more and more people get vaccinated, officials said.
“We continue to make progress in this city. And the reason we’re making progress is because of all of you,” de Blasio said.