Warning as Indian strain cases soar in only a week

CASES of the Indian variant of coronavirus have accelerated fivefold across the country in the past week.

The highly infectious variant, behind the outbreak that kept Glasgow in Level 3, has now been detected in other parts of Scotland including Fife and Tayside.

The variant, believed to be more transmissible than the Kent strain which became dominant after Christmas, has resulted in surge testing in several parts of the UK. Current vaccines are effective against it.

There were 136 Indian variant cases confirmed last week in Scotland, but that has now soared to 702, including 30 cases in Fife. The majority of those who tested positive live in Kirkcaldy.

Dr Lorna Watson, consultant in public health medicine for NHS Fife, said: ‘Overall levels of Covid remain stable, however we have seen an increase in confirmed cases of the variant over the last week or so.

‘The variant is being monitored very closely across Scotland. It is known to be more infectious.

‘Testing is a vital part of preventing the virus from spreading and we need as many people as possible, particularly those in affected parts of Kirkcaldy, to visit testing facilities.

‘With the gradual easing of restrictions, it is easy to think that Covid19 is no longer a threat but that could not be further from the truth.

‘We must all remain vigilant and if we develop any symptoms, regardless of how mild, isolate immediately and get tested as soon as possible.’

NHS Tayside director of public health Dr Emma Fletcher issued a plea to Dundee and the wider Tayside population following a rise in cases in

‘We must remain vigilant’

the city. She said: ‘I am very concerned. We expected a small increase due to the easing of restrictions, but we now have the more infectious variant circulating and contributing to increasing infection rates.’

Earlier this month NHS Grampian was forced to accelerate vaccine rollout to younger adults in Moray following an ‘uncontrolled’ outbreak.

The region was left behind in a higher tier as the rest of the country moved down to Level 2. But NHS bosses say the situation has now peaked. The region reverted to Level 2 last week and is now seeing its lowest rates since before Christmas.

While thanking residents for their efforts, deputy director of public health at NHS Grampian Chris Littlejohn warned against complacency. He said: ‘The risk in Moray is now broadly the same as other Level 2 areas. We need to remember this is still an infectious virus, with more transmissible variants.

‘There is little certainty about how they affect serious illness, hospitalisation, long Covid and death. We are heading into an uncertain summer.’