NEW YORK (AP) - Gov. Andrew Cuomo says the first case of the South African coronavirus variant has been discovered in a New York state resident.

Cuomo said in a news release Sunday that the South African variant case involved a resident of Nassau County.

"We continue to see a reduction in positivity and hospitalizations throughout the state, which is good news, and this progress is allowing us to reopen the valve on our economy even further," said Cuomo. "But with the discovery of a case of the South African variant in the state, it's more important than ever for New Yorkers to stay vigilant, wear masks, wash hands and stay socially distanced. We are in a race right now — between our ability to vaccinate and these variants which are actively trying to proliferate — and we will only win that race if we stay smart and disciplined."

A Connecticut resident who had been hospitalized in New York City was found to have the South African variant last week.

The state’s latest COVID-19 numbers show a continuation of the post-holiday season downward trend in hospitalizations and deaths.

New York recorded 75 COVID-19 deaths on Saturday, the first time since Dec. 16 that the daily death toll was under 100.