Gov. Kathy Hochul announced Dec. 6 the detection of four more confirmed cases of the COVID-19 omicron variant in New York State, for a total of 12 confirmed cases. The cases have been confirmed through sequencing of the SARS-CoV-2 virus by the state Department of Health’s Wadsworth Center. Two
of the new cases are from Suffolk County and two are from Oneida County.
“Four more cases of the COVID-19 Omicron variant were just identified in New York State,” Hochul said. “With the new variant circulating, the best way to
stay safe and prevent serious illness during the holiday season is by getting vaccinated or a booster shot. With more friends and family gathering indoors this time of year, we have the tools to fight this pandemic and you can protect yourself and your loved ones by getting vaccinated and encouraging others to get the shot, and mask up. We will continue to work with local leaders to provide the latest updates and make sure they have what they need to help prevent the spread of this deadly virus.”
While none of these cases are related to the recent Anime convention at the Javits Center in New York City, the Health Department still urges anyone who attended to get tested for COVID-19.
“While public health experts are still learning more about this new variant, we continue to encourage all New Yorkers to take precautions against COVID-19,”
said Dr. Mary T. Basset, acting state health commissioner. “Get vaccinated, get a booster if you are already fully vaccinated, and continue to wear your mask.”
The state Department of Health’s Wadsworth Center Laboratory continues to actively monitor COVID-19 virus samples selected throughout the state
to compare sequences and identify circulating and new variants, including omicron.
The Health Department also monitors all data submitted to public sequence databases by the many other sequencing laboratories throughout New York State
and across the U.S., contributing to a robust and collaborative surveillance program for variant analysis.
The Wadsworth Center is currently sequencing COVID-19 virus specimens with a capacity up to approximately 100 per day. Specimens are selected at random
from throughout the state to provide surveillance across all geographic locations and data analyzed across the entire sequence of the virus. The analyses
include assessment for mutations that indicate variants of concern and variants of interest.
(Submitted)
