India's 'delta' variant now accounts for 75% of all COVID-19 cases in New York state

India's 'delta' variant now accounts for 75% of all COVID-19 cases in New York state 

Three-quarters of the new cases in New York state are linked to the Indian "delta" variant. Governor Andrew Cuomo announced

In New York City, about 72% of active cases can also be attributed to the highly contagious type.

New York State put a vaccine or tests into place for employees this week.

Cases have increased by more than 100% in both the state and city in the past two weeks.

The delta variant is causing mutations across the country, especially in the South and Midwest.

The Indian 'delta' variant is the dominant coronavirus strain in New York State and New York City.

Governor Andrew Cuomo announced on Twitter Friday that the highly contagious strain of the virus now accounts for 75 percent of the state's novel coronavirus cases.

Meanwhile, official data from New York City shows stress is starting to take its toll there, too, accounting for 72 percent of cases.

The highly variant is believed to be behind outbreaks in state and city as public health experts and local leaders urge people to get vaccinated.

According to data from the CDC, the state averages 1,049 new cases per day, an increase of 131 percent from the average of 454 patients per day compared to two weeks ago.

Despite recent increases, case rates are still relatively low compared to other states, in large part due to the state's high vaccination rate.

In New York, 63 percent of the population has received at least one injection of the COVID-19 vaccine, and 57 percent have been fully vaccinated.

Though, Cuomo is trying to push that rate higher.

On Wednesday, the government announced that all state employees would either have to get vaccinated or get themselves regular COVID testing, starting on Labor Day.

 Mayor Bill de Blasio made a similar decision earlier this week, announcing that 300,000 municipal city workers get vaccinated or tested regularly to keep working.

The densely populated city accounts for the majority of COVID-19 cases in the state.

As of Friday, an average of 788 new cases was found each day in New York City, up from 430 two weeks ago.

The city is also lagging behind the rest of the state in rolling out the vaccine, with only 59.5 percent of residents receiving at least one vaccine shot and 54.6 percent fully vaccinated.

The delta surge in New York comes as the entire nation struggles to deal with the highly contagious species.

Average cases have risen 169 percent over the past two weeks, from an average of 24,886 new cases on July 15 to 66,999 on July 29.

The virus is particularly spiraling out of control in parts of the southern United States and the Midwest.

The virus has enveloped Florida, Missouri, Texas, Arkansas, and Louisiana in particular.

Many states with widespread outbreaks also have low vaccination rates, with health officials urging Americans to get the injections and protect themselves.