HARTFORD, Conn. — There have been at least 45 cases of the New York COVID-19 variant identified here in Connecticut.
This makes it the second most prevalent variant in the state. But its discovery wasn't listed on a recent state variant report.
The Connecticut Department of Public Health said the N.Y. variant wasn't listed because the CDC doesn't officially classify it as a "variant of concern." It is, however, classified as a "variant of interest."
The CDC has created threat levels. The highest threat level would be a "variant of high consequence." No such variants are currently circulating.
Last week, Connecticut started including COVID-19 variant cases on a weekly report. The report identified 283 cases of the B-117, seven cases of the B.1.351 variant, four cases of the California variants, and one case of the P1 variant.
While the New York variant may not be officially classified by the CDC as a variant of concern, it is concerning to scientists due to multiple mutations on the COVID-19 spike protein.
"That may make it less susceptible to the vaccine-induced immunity," said Dr. David Banach of UConn Health.
Doctors are also concerned it may make hospital treatments less effective.
"May affect their ability to be attacked by those monoclonal antibody treatments that’s we’ve been using," Banach added.
What is still unknown is if the New York strain is more infectious, more deadly, or if it has the ability to reinfect people who’ve already had COVID-19.
"Did raise some additional level of interest," said Banach.
Gov. Ned Lamont suggested he wants more genomic sequencing.
"We’re not really doing as much genetic sequencing as we could," he said on Monday.
Right now, the Jackson Labs in Farmington, the Yale School of Medicine in New Haven, and the State Health Lab in Rocky Hill are all conducting genetic surveillance.
They test about 30,000 samples a week.
"We can get very detailed information about strains that are closely related to each other and new mutations as they arrive," Mark Adams, deputy director of the Jackson Labs said.
The Jackson Labs said nearly 40% of their positive samples are for the more contagious U.K. variant.
"That’s obviously a concern. I think it reflects what is understood about that variant, so it seems to be making inroads in the state."
CT Chief Operating Officer Josh Geballe was asked Monday if the New York variant was discovered in Connecticut and he said no. His office told FOX61 on Tuesday it was a misunderstanding.
They explained that the state is aware of it and is tracking it. But unless the CDC reclassifies it as a variant of concern, it won't be listed on the state variant report.
Doctors say regardless of variants, the public health message remains the same. Wear a mask, watch your distance, wash your hands, get tested, and contact trace.
Scientists also say the best way to stop the virus from mutating is to get vaccinated so it can’t replicate.
This comes at a time when Connecticut has never been more open - with capacity limits just lifted for many businesses.
The state is hoping to avoid another surge. The positivity rate has ticked up over the last several days and so has the 7-day rolling average.
HERE ARE MORE WAYS TO GET FOX61 NEWS
Download the FOX61 News APP
iTunes: Click here to download
Google Play: Click here to download
Stream Live on ROKU: Add the channel from the ROKU store or by searching FOX61.