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Indian ‘Delta’ variant now accounts for 75% of all COVID-19 cases in New York State and 72% of infections in the Big Apple
- Three-fourths of new cases in New York state are linked to the Indian ‘Delta’ variant. Gov Andrew Cuomo announced
- In New York City, around 72% of active cases can also be attributed to the highly contagious variant
- Both New York state and New York City instituted vaccine or testing mandates on to employees this week
- Cases have increased by over 100% in both the state and the city over the past two weeks
- Delta variant is causing surges around nation, especially in the south and Midwest
The Indian ‘Delta’ variant is far and way the dominant coronavirus strain in both New York state and New York City.
Governor Andrew Cuomo announced on Twitter on Friday that the highly contagious virus strain now accounted for 75 percent of new coronavirus cases in the state.
Meanwhile, official data from New York City shows the strain is beginning to take its toll there as well, accounting for 72 percent of cases.
The highly transmissible variant is believe to be behind outbreaks in both the state and city as public health experts and local leaders urge people to get vaccinated.
The Delta variant now accounts for 72 percent of new cases in New York City
After enjoying declines for several weeks, New York has been seeing cases in increase over the past month..
The state is averaging 1,049 new cases per day, a 131 percent increase over the 454 cases per day average from two weeks ago, according to data from the CDC.
Despite the recent increases, case rates are still relatively low compared to other states, largely because of the state’s high vaccination rate.
In New York, 63 percent of residents have received at least one shot of a COVID-19 vaccine, and 57 percent are fully vaccinated.
Cuomo is trying to push that rate higher, though.
On Wednesday, the governor announced that all state employees will either have to get vaccinated or subject themselves to regular COVID testing, starting on Labor Day.
Cases in New York have increased by 131 percent over the past two weeks, but still remain relatively low
Both Governor Andrew Cuomo and Mayor Bill de Blasio announced vaccine or testing mandates for their employees this week
New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio made a similar decision earlier this week, announcing that 300,000 municipal workers in the city will either have to get vaccinated or subject themselves to regular testing in order to continue working.
The densely populated city accounts for a majority of the state’s COVID-19 cases.
As of Friday, an average of 788 new cases every day are being found in New York City, an increase from 430 two weeks ago.
The city is also lagging behind the rest of the state in its vaccine rollout, with only 59.5 percent of residents having received at least one shot of the vaccine, and 54.6 percent fully vaccinated.
The Delta surge in New York comes as the entire nation struggles to deal with the high contagious variant.
Average cases have increased by 169 percent over the past two weeks, from 24,886 new cases on average on July 15 to 66,999 on July 29.
The virus is especially getting out of control in parts of the U.S. south and Midwest.
Florida, Missouri, Texas, Arkansas and Louisiana in particular has been enveloped by the virus.
Many of the states suffering from massive outbreaks also have low vaccination rates, as health officials urge Americans to get the shots and protect themselves.
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