New York Governor Andrew Cuomo made the announcement during his briefing on Monday, saying the patient had been transferred from Connecticut to NYC hospital.
Officials say there is no evidence of any spread in upstate New York to date.
“About the South African variant, they are concerned about how deadly it is and how it compares to the vaccine,” said Cuomo.
Connecticut’s health department confirmed the positive case in a statement.
Governor Lamont and public health officials announced today that the B.1.351 variant of the COVID-19 virus, the so-called “South African” variant, has been detected in a Connecticut patient who is currently hospitalized with the virus. The condition of the individual is improving. This is the first known case of the B.1.351 variant in a Connecticut resident. “
Meanwhile, officials say 3.2 million have received their vaccinations statewide and more than 1 million New Yorkers.
The statewide positivity rate is 3.53%.
Long Island still has the region’s highest positivity at 4.62%, while Mid-Hudson has the second highest at 4.53%.
Bronx still has the highest positivity in NYC at 6.11%.
TRENDING: Snowy owl spotted on prey in Central Park
MORE CORONAVIRUS COVID-19 COVERAGE
Positive COVID-19 Cases by Zip Code – New York City
New York City COVID-19 Vaccine Tracker
New Jersey COVID-19 Vaccine Tracker
See if you qualify and where to get your vaccine
Do you have symptoms of the coronavirus?
Where you can get tested in New York, New Jersey and Connecticut
WATCH: Eyewitness to a pandemic
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for Coronavirus
Submit a news tip or question
Report a correction or typo
Copyright © 2021 WABC-TV. All rights reserved.