The New York City Health Commissioner recommends wearing a mask indoors

(AP Photo/David J. Phillip, File)

New York (AFP) – It’s happening, the New York City health commissioner said Monday “Highly recommended” Everyone wears masks in indoor public spaces as scientists work to learn more about the newly identified omicron variant of COVID-19.

Doctor. Commissioner Dave Chukchi said he has recommended that all New Yorkers wear masks “At all times when you are indoors and in a public place such as a supermarket or in the lobby of a building, offices and stores.”

The guideline is in line with the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s recommendation in July that vaccinated people wear masks indoors in areas where the virus is spreading.

Much remains unknown about the ommicron variant, which South African researchers identified last week, including whether it is more contagious than other variants, or more able to evade vaccine protection.

Cases of the omicron variant have been found in Canada, Australia, and the Netherlands, among other countries, but no cases have been found in the United States.

Mayor Bill de Blasio said that while no cases of the omicron variant have been reported in New York City, “It’s very likely there will be.”

Chukchi, who joined de Blasio for a virtual news briefing, said the delta variant of the virus is responsible for 98% of COVID-19 samples in New York City that are now being sequenced.

Copyright 2021 Associated Press.