The Delta variant is now thought to account for a large proportion of rising cases in Scotland and the rest of the UK, as concerns grow over whether Covid restrictions could return this winter

While vaccinations in Scotland are helping to ease concerns and break links between coronavirus infections and hospitalisations, the Delta variant is continuing to sweep across the UK and keep Covid transmission rates high.

Recent weeks in Scotland have seen seven day case rates and daily positive Covid case counts sharply increase, with over 43,000 cases across seven days reported in early September.

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