Alliance for Pandemic Preparedness

July 9, 2020

Social Distancing, Population Density, and Spread of COVID-19 in England: A Longitudinal Study

Category:

Topic:

  • Based on a 5-week longitudinal study, Tammes showed that COVID-19 incidence decreased more in the most densely populated administrative areas compared to less dense areas after the introduction of physical distancing measures by the UK government (March 16-22). In the last week of the study (April 13-19), the incidence was 22.4 per 100,000 persons (95% CI 16.9-28.0) in areas in the highest density quartile, which was lower than the rates in the three lower density quartiles (31.4 to 43.2 per 100,000 persons). 

Tammes. (July 7, 2020). Social Distancing, Population Density, and Spread of COVID-19 in England: A Longitudinal Study. BJGP Open. https://doi.org/10.3399/bjgpopen20X101116