THE coronavirus variant first detected in South Africa and is feared more resistant to the Covid-19 vaccine has registered a worrying rise in Scotland, the Herald has learnt.
The number of identified Scottish cases of the South African variant vaccine has doubled in ten days, from three to six.
Confirmation of the rise has come while the number across the UK over the same period has also followed a similar pattern, nearly doubling from 77 cases to 147. There are now 100 confirmed and 47 probable cases, according official data.
In Scotland as of February 3, there were five confirmed cases and and one classed as ‘probable’.
The numbers of UK cases of the Brazil variant have also doubled over ten days – with 18 current confirmed cases, all in England and none yet in Scotland.
It comes as early trials suggested that the Oxford-AstraZeneca Covid jab gives limited protection against mild and moderate disease caused by the South Africa variant.
UK ministers have…
