Lockdown has more than halved the number of Covid-19 infections in the North East, according to a major new study.
Cases fell by over 60% between November 13 and 24, according to the latest REACT study by Imperial College London and Ipsos MORI which tests over 105,000 volunteers in England.
It comes as the nation prepares to leave lockdown and re-enter the Tier system on December 2.
The North East - which had been in Tier 2 prior to the four-week national lockdown - will be in Tier 3 from Wednesday despite falling cases.
Nationally, the REACT study has revealed that cases are down 30% in the same 11-day period, something Matt Hancock attributed to the "huge efforts" of the public.
"This latest data shows we must keep our resolve and we cannot afford to take our foot off the pedal just yet, despite the encouraging fall in cases and progress on vaccines," said the Health Secretary.
“The next few weeks and months are the busiest time of year for our NHS, so it’s vital we all continue to follow new local restrictions, wash our hands, wear a face covering and observe social distancing.”
The findings show cases were, nationally, rising as the country entered lockdown but this was followed by a decrease as national measures successfully lowered infection rates across the country.
However, the massive decline in the North East's infection rate will do little to quell growing criticism over the region being placed in Tier 3.
Bars, restaurants and leisure venues must remain shut under the highest band of restrictions, while fans are not permitted to return to elite sport.
The region's politicians have slammed the move, with some even stating they will vote against it when it goes before Parliament on Tuesday.
However, the latest study seems to show that - despite criticism when it was announced - another lockdown seems to have made a difference to infection rates.
Nationally, the R rate is now 0.88 - anything below 1 means the virus is retreating - and prevalence in the North East has gone from 1.88% of the public having the virus to just 0.72%.
Professor Paul Elliott, director of the programme at Imperial College London, said: "Our robust data offers encouraging signs for England’s epidemic, where we’re seeing a fall in infections at the national level and in particular across regions that were previously worst affected.
"These trends suggest that the tiered approach helped to curb infections in these areas and that lockdown has added to this effect."
