Indian delta variant of coronavirus suspected in Dumfries and Galloway

The Indian variant of coronavirus has been discovered in Dumfries and Galloway for the first time.

Health bosses say there were eight new cases in the region in the seven days leading up to May 30 – more than double the previous week’s tally of three.

And among them are suspected cases of the B.1.617.2 – which the World Health Organisation has renamed from the Indian variant to the delta variant.

It is a more transmissible strain of the disease, although vaccines are still thought to be effective against it.

NHS Dumfries and Galloway’s director of public health, Valerie White, said: “A lot of hard work helped bring down the number of cases in Dumfries and Galloway from the very concerning levels we saw at the start of the year.

“Our numbers continue to remain relatively low, but we know only too well how quickly the arrival of a new coronavirus variant can change the landscape.

“We’re not suggesting that this delta variant is about to drastically change our situation, and acknowledge that it is expected to gradually become the dominant version of Covid-19 across Scotland as a whole.

“However, it is very much worth asking people to remember that although restrictions have eased there are still things we should all be doing to limit the potential for spread. Please do follow the FACTS guidance around physical distancing, use of face coverings and hand hygiene.

“Everyone should enjoy the new freedoms that we’ve worked so hard to achieve, but we’d encourage an appreciation that by being careful we can help to secure and protect where we are.”