New Strain Of COVID-19 Already In Massachusetts, Baker Assumes

A particularly contagious new strain of COVID-19 that has already made its way to the Northeast hasn't yet been reported in Massachusetts, but Gov. Charlie Baker is assuming it's already here.

The governor, speaking Tuesday afternoon at Baystate Medical Center, said it's natural to belive the mutated variant has spread to Massachusetts given that it's already hit New York.

"I think most of us are working on the assumption that it's here," Baker said. "There'd be no reason not to given the contagious nature of this new variant."

Baker said the contagious nature of the variant is more reason to remain vigilant.

The new strain of the virus was first found last month in England. It has quickly spread to the United States, where it's been confirmed in New York, California, Florida and Colorado.

Massachusetts on Tuesday reported another 4,178 cases and 63 deaths related to COVID-19. The seven-day day positive test average has climbed to 8.57 percent.

For more on the new strain of COVID-19, read this story from Science Magazine.