COVID Positivity Rates Down in New York Despite Emerging South African Strain

By Yehudit Garmaise

   Although coronavirus cases in New York continue decrease, signaling that COVID’s winter surge is finally declining, the state has not only seen a steady increase in the UK variant of the COVID, but also one patient in New York City who has tested positive for the South African strain of COVID.

   "The UK strain is reportedly up to 70% more transmittable [than the regular strain of COVID]," Gov. Andrew Cuomo has said. "That is a frightening thought. So, we're watching it closely."

   While the UK strain is the most transmissible strain of COVID-19, the South African strain might be the most lethal, said the governor, who added that health officials were not yet sure how whether vaccines protect patients from the South African strain.

   The patient who has tested positive with the South African strain was transferred from Connecticut to a New York City hospital for a procedure.

   Although as of Feb. 8, 59 patients in New York had tested positive with the UK strain, Gov. Cuomo reported that no evidence exists the South African strain has spread to any other patients in New York City.