SCOTTISH Labour has accused the SNP government of knowing about the threat posed by the Delta (or Indian) variant a week before First Minister Nicola Sturgeon informed the public. 

In response to a question from the opposition, Deputy First Minister John Swinney is said to have confirmed that the government was aware that the threat level of the Delta variant had been increased from “of interest” to “of concern” on May 6. 

However, it was not until May 14 that Ms Sturgeon told the public that restrictions in Glasgow would be extended due to a surge in cases of the variant in the city.