Delayed Doses Arrive in Southern Tier Along with U.K. COVID Variant

New York Governor Andrew Cuomo says the weather-delayed COVID-19 vaccinations are starting to arrive and are being sent to clinics throughout the state.

Cuomo says the "week ten" doses began arriving February 23 and this week’s," week 11" doses should be arriving over the next couple of days. Many areas, including Broome County, had to reschedule appointments since doses had not arrived in time for the Tuesday and Friday clinics last week.  Some regions said they would wait until they had the next batch of doses in-hand before re-booking residents for their shots.

Meanwhile, the state is reporting 1 case of the South African strain and 18 cases of the U.K. variant.  Delaware County February 23 reported a case of the U.K. variant had been found in the county.  Last week Broome announced one confirmed case of the variant.

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Broome County Public Health Director Rebecca Kauffman said she believed there had been other cases of the mutation prior to the identification of the U.K. version confirmed earlier this month.  Tompkins County had already reported a patient with the U.K. variant and only random samples are sent to a state lab to be tested for any changes or mutations to the coronavirus.