The New York City variant, called B.1.526, makes up the majority of those sequenced cases.
The New York City variant is slightly more common in the Bronx and in Queens.is elevated in southern Brooklyn, eastern Queens, and Staten Island—but overall has fewer cases around the city compared to the New York City strain.
Genetically sequenced COVID-19 cases are reported to a global database called GISAID, and variants accounted for 10% of NYC-based submissions in January.The city report said the variants explain the recent high plateau of COVID-19 cases in the city.The health department noted, “It is too early to know if either of these variants are more likely to cause reinfection or vaccine breakthrough compared to other previously circulating variants.†It emphasized key precautions New Yorkers should take: mask wearing, distancing, staying home if sick, and washing your hands.