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On May 19, 2021, the Delta Variant of Concern (VOC), formerly known as the Indian VOC or B 1.617. 2, became the dominant strain of SARS-CoV-2 in Scotland. The Alpha VOC (formerly known as the Kent VOC, B. 1.1. 7, or S gene negative) had been the dominant strain previously, but it has rapidly been replaced (appendix p 1).

Samples were analysed using ThermoFisher's TaqPath RT-PCR, which tests for the presence of three target genes from SARS-CoV-2. S gene-negative samples had a deletion in S gene of B. 1.1. 7 (Alpha VOC) at position 69-70, with cycle threshold (Ct) values less than 30 for at least one of the OR and N genes. S gene-positive samples had Ct values less than 30 for the S gene and valid Ct values for the other two genes. In contrast, a weak S gene-positive sample had a Ct of 30 or less for S. Sequencing data from Scotland has found that for April 1 to May 28, 2021, the latest date until …