The Indian Covid-19 variant has sparked fears that Scotland's road to pandemic recovery will be hindered.

As experts say vaccines have saved thousands of lives, a surge in cases in some Scots postcodes has threatened to scupper progress.

Scientists and government figures are holding urgent talks amid fears it could delay the end of lockdown rules.

Nicola Sturgeon said this week that there was a level of concern about the number of new cases of the Indian variant, of which 35 have been identified in Scotland.

A surge in cases in Glasgow are thought to be linked to the Indian coronavirus variant, pushing the city's virus rate to 58 per 100,000.

Experts say vaccines have saved thousands of lives

Meanwhile, it is likely Moray will remain at Level 3 come May 17, but these cases have been described as "community transmission”.

Elsewhere in the UK, 520 cases of the Indian variant have been identified in the last week alone, with Bolton, Blackburn, Leicester, Nottingham and Bedford all hospots.

There is good news and bad news - and it's important to be aware of the facts.

So, how did we get here - and why are authorities so worried?

Here are all your key questions answered.

1. Why are we concerned about the Indian variant?

Scientists believe the variant spreads just as well as the Kent variant still dominant in the UK.

Analysis is ongoing but if it turns out to have higher transmissibility, it would give it competitive advantage and it could start to take over.

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2. How has this happened?

The original India variant - officially known as B.1.617 - was first detected in October and cases have been imported from abroad.

It is now known to be spreading in clusters in some communities.

3. Is there more than one Indian variant?

Nicola Sturgeon says there is a level of concern over the variant

It has been re-characterised as three different subtypes, all with slightly different genetic mutations.

The UK has seen a sharp increase in one subtype known as B.1.617.2 which now makes up the majority of our cases and appears to be growing faster than others.

4. Why does it spread easier than previous variants?

It contains two key mutations to the outer “spike” protein of the virus that attaches to human cells.

Some experts believe it may be overpowering prior immunity from natural infections in some people who had caught earlier variants.

5. But the good news is...

There is no indication yet that it evades the protection offered by current vaccines.

This means even if it becomes more prevalent across the UK it should not make most people seriously ill.

Widespread vaccinations and natural immunity mean it should not trigger death spikes seen during earlier waves and put hospitals under pressure again.

6. Why does it put lockdown at risk?

The reopening of lockdown could be at risk

Increasing Covid-19 rates with any variant would still kill some unvaccinated people.

Higher viral prevalence also increases the chances that the virus will mutate again to stop vaccines working as well.

7. What can the UK do about it?

Make use of our world leading genetic sequencing to detect clusters and deploy surge testing.

The fact that we are hearing about this increase actually shows the system at work.

India is now on the travel Red List and restrictions must continue with countries where the variant is prevalent.

We are now reliant on our contact tracing systems to stamp out outbreaks.

Test and trace has underperformed, but is improving as more work is done by trusted local council teams.