New York has confirmed its first case of a more contagious variant of SARS-CoV-2, the coronavirus that causes COVID-19, that was initially discovered in the U.K., CNBC reports.
Five things to know:
1. The New York case is in a man in his 60s with no recent travel history, Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced Jan. 4, as reported by WNBC. State officials are investigating other potential variant cases in at least three sick people linked to a jewelry store.
2. New York is the fourth state in which the strain has been identified, following cases discovered in Colorado, California and Florida.
3. Six cases of the variant have been identified in California, Gov. Gavin Newsom said Jan. 4. Four cases are in San Diego and two are in San Bernardino, with one person infected with the strain hospitalized, reports Mercury News.
4. The CDC believes the strain emerged in Britain and suspects it has been circulating in the U.S. for some time.
5. Experts believe the U.K. variant is spread more easily, but don't think the strain is more deadly.
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