More than 7,700 confirmed and probable cases of the Covid-19 Delta variant have been identified in Scotland, according to newly released data.
Across the UK, a total of 111,157 cases have been confirmed by Public Health England - up 46% on the previous week - with 7,738 of these in Scotland.
The most recent data shows that approximately 95% of confirmed cases of coronavirus across the UK are the Delta variant.
Positive tests in Scotland have been soaring dramatically in recent days, with 2,999 cases recorded between Wednesday and Thursday - a record high.
However, as the country's vaccination programme continues to see millions of people receiving first and second doses, the number of hospital figures have remained comparatively low.
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has previously said the vaccination programme is breaking the link between cases and the number of serious illnesses from Covid-19.
But she cautioned that a rise in cases will still put "huge pressure" on the NHS and "cause suffering and loss".
As of yesterday, 3,695,303 people had received their first dose of the Covid vaccination while 2,631,533 had received their second jab.
Meanwhile, the new covid strain dubbed Delta Plus has been spreading in the UK for weeks and has been declared a variant of concern in India.
Delta Plus, known as AY.1, originated in Europe in March and has since been discovered in ten countries – with 169 cases identified so far in England.
The BBC reports officials in India have said the AY.1, or Delta Plus, mutation appears to spread more easily, attach more easily to lung cells and is potentially resistant to treatment, although investigations are still ongoing.
