The pandemic in New York State has lasted for nearly 21 months. Although restrictions have been relaxed in the spring and summer, there has been a surge in cases in the fall, prompting politicians to take action.

One cause for concern is the recent discovery of a new Omicron variant of COVID-19 in the United States, which now appears to have arrived in New York.

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

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

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

Hochul added that no one in New York State has tested positive, but this is inevitable, and this development is not unexpected.

Hochul added that they expect a case of Omicron variants in New York, and they are prepared for this. She added that people who have not been vaccinated should be vaccinated, and the importance of strengthening injections.

Although everyone at the Javits Center meeting must be vaccinated, Hochel recommends that everyone attending the meeting be tested.

The Omicron variant has about 50 mutations, of which more than 30 are located on the "spike protein", which the virus uses to attach itself to human cells; this makes the Omicron variant even more worrying.