New York Gov. Kathy Hochul Gives Important Update on Omicron Variant

The pandemic has been going on for nearly 21 months in the State of New York and while the spring and summer saw a relaxing of restrictions, the fall has seen a spike in cases that has caused politicians to take action.

One cause for concern is the new Omicron variant of COVID-19 that has been detected recently in the United States and now, it appears has arrived in New York.

New York Governor Kathy Hochul gave an update on the pandemic, and the potential for the Omicron variant in the state.

Get our free mobile app

Hochul announced that a Minnesota resident who traveled recently to New York City, has tested positive for the Omicron variant of COVID-19.

The person has mild symptoms and recently attended a convention at the Javits Center in New York City.

Hochul adds that nobody has yet tested positive in New York State, but that is inevitable and that this development is not unexpected.

Hochul adds that they anticipate there will be cases of the Omicron variant in New York and they are prepared for this. She adds that people who haven't gotten vaccinated yet, to do so, and the importance of booster shots as well.

Even though everyone at the convention at the Javits Center was required to be vaccinated, Hochul recommends that all those who attended get tested.

The Omicron variant has some 50 mutations, more than 30 of which are on the "spike protein," which the virus uses to attach itself to cells of humans; this makes the Omicron variant more worrisome.