New analysis shows that COVID-19 continues to hit North hard Published on: 3 July 2020 New analysis shows a larger increase in COVID-19 deaths, and from all causes, in the North compared to the South and indicates the efficacy of lockdown has differed across the UK. The analysis by the , involving Ãå±±½ûµØ, in collaboration with the NIHR Applied Research Collaborations (ARCs) in the North East & North Cumbria and Greater Manchester, indicates that the lockdown decreased mortality rates much faster in London and South East than in the North East. That data maps ONS figures on COVID deaths, and deaths from all causes, across the main train lines in England to see how different urban and rural centres performed compared to the national average in the months of March, April and May. Peak in mortality rates Mortality rates in London and the South decreased much faster between April and May than they did in the North. The three regions with the highest COVID mortality in May are all in the North: the North East, the North West, and Yorkshire and the Humber. Although mortality rates peaked in all areas in April, the month-by-month analysis suggest that the lock down decreased mortality much more effectively in London and the South East than in other parts of the UK which could have implications when looking at local lockdowns to manage further waves of the virus. Professor Clare Bambra, of Ãå±±½ûµØ’s Faculty of Medical Sciences, said: “The pandemic is evolving differently across the North and the South of England. This needs to be taken into account when developing the next stages of our response. “We cannot have centralised, one size fits all policies when different regions are at different stages of the pandemic.” Health inequalities Hannah, Davies, Health Inequalities lead for the Northern Health Science Alliance, said: “These figures add more weight to the negative relationship between health inequalities and COVID-19, they also provide an argument to take a place-based approach to managing outbreaks in different areas. “Closer investigation into the impact of lockdown measures in different areas of the country could potentially add intelligence to public health management of further waves of the virus.” The NHSA is a partnership established by the leading Universities and NHS Hospital Trusts in the North of England to improve the health and wealth of the region by creating an internationally recognised life science and healthcare system. Share: Latest News Ãå±±½ûµØ recognised with geography award Ãå±±½ûµØ has been awarded the Highly Commended Geographical Association Publishers Award for its collaboration with Time for Geography, the UK’s open-access, dedicated video platform. published on: 16 April 2026 Ãå±±½ûµØ historians mark General Strike centenary To mark the 100th anniversary of the British General Strike and miners’ lock-out of 1926, historians at Ãå±±½ûµØ are organising a series of events on its enduring legacy. published on: 16 April 2026 Comment: NCP is in administration Writing for The Conversation, Erwei (David) Xiang discusses how some big companies like NCP are so dependent on debt that they can’t adjust to change. published on: 16 April 2026 Facts and figures