NYC Mayor Reports of Two Cases of the UK COVID-19 Strain Found in New York City

Mayor Bill de Blasio today announced that two of the newly discovered United Kingdom Strains of Coronavirus in New York State were found within New York City.

He called for a travel ban from Britain to the United States.

“New York has reported across the state 12 new cases of the Coronavirus with the variant from the United Kingdom present,” said the Mayor.  “Two of those cases are New York City residents. One of whom traveled to the United Kingdom. Again, although I appreciate the federal government is finally acting to restrict who can get on international flight and require them to have a negative Coronavirus test, that’s not good enough. There should be an immediate travel ban from the United Kingdom to the United States. Here’s proof positive, someone who is in the UK has brought the variant back here. We need that stopped. Flights from the United Kingdom should be canceled immediately by the federal government.”

The announcement came during his press briefing this morning. It follows on Governor Cuomo’s previous statements concerning the newly found cases in the state. When last he spoke the number had risen by 8 to 12. Yet, today’s press release from his office reveals how three additional cases have been found, thus bringing the total to 15 cases of the UK COVID-19 Strain in New York.

Following is a portion of that press release:

Three additional cases of the UK variant have been identified in Warren County, bringing the total number of cases in New York to 15. Specifically, four cases in Saratoga County and two cases in Warren County have been identified as part of the cluster connected to a jewelry store in Saratoga Springs. Three additional cases in Warren County are under investigation for their link to this cluster, but have yet to be confirmed. A second cluster has also been identified and includes two cases in Suffolk County, two cases from Nassau County and one from Queens. The final case was identified in Manhattan and is not connected to either cluster.