Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
New York Confirms Its First Case Of Virus Variant; UK Locks Down
The Hill: Cuomo Says More Contagious Coronavirus Variant Found In Upstate New York
The new, more contagious strain of coronavirus has been found in New York state, Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced Monday, making it the fourth known state with a case of the variant. An individual in Saratoga County in upstate New York has been confirmed to have the strain, sometimes known as the U.K. variant because it was first discovered in the United Kingdom. (Sullivan, 1/4)
The New York Times: New Variant Detected In New York Amid Growing Crisis Over Vaccine Rollout
The confirmation of the variant in New York could complicate the planned inoculation of some 19.5 million residents, with criticism beginning to mount over the rollout. On Monday, Mayor Bill de Blasio called on the Cuomo administration to allow the inoculation of a broader array of essential workers and New Yorkers who are 75 and older. “There’s lots more we can do if we have both those categories approved,” Mr. de Blasio said at a news conference on Monday. (McKinley, Ferre-Sadurni and Fitzsimmons, 1/4)
In related news about the U.K. and South African variants —
The Washington Post: Third National Lockdown Announced In England Amid Coronavirus Surge Driven By Variant Strain
Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Monday ordered a third national lockdown for England amid a surging coronavirus outbreak driven by a U.K. variant that appears to be more contagious and may have greater implications for children. In a televised address to the nation Monday evening, Johnson said the new variant was 50 to 70 percent more transmissible, spreading at a rate he called “frustrating and alarming.” (Adam, Hassan and Guarino, 1/4)
Politico: South African Coronavirus Variant: What We Know So Far
Countries across Europe have banned travel from South Africa as fears rise over whether current vaccines will be effective against a new coronavirus variant first identified in the country. The variant has rapidly replaced other strains in South Africa, with initial research linking it to higher viral loads and possibly increased transmissibility. The rise in cases in South Africa has pushed the country to the verge of another full nationwide lockdown as hospitals struggle to cope. (Furlong, 1/4)
