People in Scotland who have already been vaccinated against coronavirus are being treated in hospital for the new Indian variant.

This was one of the driving factors for the Scottish Government deciding to keep Glasgow in a higher level of lockdown, the Record can reveal.

A source told how there are believed to be six patients – who have had the vaccine – currently being treated for complications suspected to be related to the variant which has been deadly in India.

The high-level source said: “At least one person has had two doses. It is part of the reason for the concern.”

Some are believed to be receiving treatment in Glasgow hospitals.

The revelations come as First Minister Nicola Sturgeon yesterday took action to halt the spread of Covid-19 in the city and the Moray region by halting lockdown easing in both areas.

Amid fears of the Indian variant spreading in Glasgow, she announced that it and Moray would stay in Level 3 for at least a week – affecting about 700,000 people.

The rest of the country is looking forward to more freedoms with a move to Level 2 on Monday, which includes drinking alcohol inside pubs and restaurants and being allowed to visit people inside their homes. Sturgeon said travel to both areas should be for essential reasons only in a bid to stop the transmission to other parts of the country.

There are believed to be six patients – who have had the vaccine – currently being treated for complications (stock image)
There are believed to be six patients – who have had the vaccine – currently being treated for complications (stock image)

The epicentre of the Glasgow outbreak is in the First Minister’s own Southside constituency.

After meetings with public health teams in both areas Sturgeon announced the “regrettable” decision to keep both areas under tighter rules.

It was predicted earlier in the week that Moray would remain in Level 3, but the rapid spread in Glasgow was more sudden and Sturgeon admitted that decision was taken “in the last hour or so”.

Speaking in Parliament yesterday, she said: “I know this will be disappointing for residents and businesses in Moray.

“However, in my judgement it is sensible, though difficult, to be cautious now to allow Moray to move with more confidence to Level 2 rather than ease restrictions and risk having to go backwards later.”

Sturgeon added: “The Scottish Government is applying a similar reasoning in Glasgow city which, I must say, is causing even more concern at this stage.

“In the latest data, the number of cases per 100,000 is 80 and test positivity rate of 3.5 per cent. Both these measures indicate an increase in the level of infection in Glasgow.

"However, an additional and very significant factor in Glasgow is there is evidence suggesting the outbreak which is centred in the south side of the city is being driven by the so-called Indian variant.”

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She said she knew how disappointing keeping Glasgow in Level 3 would be, but said “pressing pause for a few days will hopefully avoid a situation where we have to impose even more restrictive measures over the next few weeks”.

Andrew McRae, the Federation of Small Businesses Scotland policy chair, said the news was “crushing” for businesses and their customers. He added: “The damage of this change, especially in Glasgow, is exacerbated by the lateness of this announcement.

“It means wasted stock, disappointed customers and increased debt. While the action proposed may or may not be necessary, pushing it out the door at close of play on a Friday will further undermine independent businesses.”

Mario Gizzi, owner of The DRG group which owns brand such as Di Maggio’s and Cafe Andaluz, called it an “absolute disgrace”.

He said: “Not only have our plans been thrown up in the air but it’s been done last thing on a Friday night. At just one of our sites, The Citizen in Glasgow, we’ve spent more than £6000 in staff costs getting ready and roughly the same in fresh produce. As a standalone unit, all this food will be wasted and can’t be transferred to another restaurant. It’s
outrageous to have these hugely damaging decisions taken by people who have no idea of how the hospitality industry runs.”

The Scottish Government has said affected businesses will receive additional financial support of up to £750 per week, which Gizzi labelled a “joke.”

Meanwhile the SFA confirmed fans will not be allowed at the Scottish Cup final. Next Saturday’s clash, between Hibs and St Johnstone, will be placed in an empty stadium – despite initial plans to have 600 fans there.

Earlier, Dr Deepti Gurdasani had warned action had to be taken to prevent the situation worsening amid concerns about the spread of the new Indian variant and a “loss of control”.

The clinical epidemiologist and senior lecturer at Queen Mary University of London, said: “In Scotland as a whole we’ve actually seen the number of new cases double in the last week.

“This is what early exponential rises look like and we’re seeing loss of control of the pandemic in many parts of
Scotland... and other places will follow unless action is taken to actually prevent this and pre-empt this now.”