New COVID variant in New York City not deadlier or vaccine-resistant

NEW YORK » A COVID-19 variant that first was detected in New York City now accounts for about two in five coronavirus cases in the city, suggesting it spreads more easily than the older strain of the virus, city health officials said Wednesday.

But the officials said they’ve seen no evidence that the New York City variant is deadlier or more vaccine-resistant than earlier forms of the virus.

Health Commissioner Dr. Dave Chokshi said data from the city’s pandemic response lab shows the variant accounted for 39% of virus samples analyzed during the most recent week, up from 31% the week before.

Chokshi said the variant first detected in the United Kingdom accounted for 12% of New York City cases, up from 8% the week before.

“Viruses are wily. They adapt and change, which affects what circulates in our communities,” he said.

Speaking on the day that COVID-19 vaccine eligibility in New York state was expanded to include everyone over age 60, plus certain categories of public employees, the health officials urged New Yorkers to meet the challenge of a constantly mutating coronavirus by adhering to virus protocols like mask wearing and by getting vaccinated.

Dr. Jay Varma, senior health adviser to Mayor Bill de Blasio, said the science is clear “that if we take all of those individual precautions that are necessary, and we get vaccinated, we can win.”

De Blasio said the city has administered almost 2.5 million doses since the vaccination effort began in December.

Also Wednesday, Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced New York City restaurants will be permitted to fill half their seats starting March 19.

Restaurants in the city now are allowed to operate at 35% capacity. Cuomo announced previously that restaurants in the rest of the state would go from 50% capacity to 75% on March 19.

The easing of restaurant restrictions is being coordinated regionally as states seek to revive their economies after a year of hardship caused by the pandemic. New Jersey will expand statewide restaurant capacity from 35% to 50% on March 19, and restaurant capacity limits will be eliminated entirely in Connecticut on that date.