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[[File:Logo Monografía.jpg|right|thumb|300px|Statistical graph: Evolution of hospital admissions due to COVID-19 during the rising phase of the pandemic. 2020. Spain.]]

[[File:Logo Monografía.jpg|left|thumb|300px|Map: COVID-19 cases during the rising phase of the pandemic. 2020. Spain.]]

Before commenting on the rising phase of the pandemic, it is important to note the difference between the relative data, which spatial distribution varied as the weeks progressed, and the absolute data, which showed a clear polarisation in Madrid and Barcelona, as these two provinces were the main hotspots in Spain; especially Madrid. This pattern of distribution may be explained to some extent by the greater concentration of the population in these two provinces, as may have also occurred in the Basque Country (Euskadi/País Vasco). However, it was not shown with the same intensity in other areas of the country that also have a high population density, such as the Region of Valencia (Comunitat Valenciana), the Region of Murcia (Región de Murcia) and some provinces of Andalusia (Andalucía).

All variables showed an upward trend during the rising phase of the first wave of the pandemic, from 9 to 20 March 2020, despite the state of alarm declared on 14 March 2020, which led to a severe lockdown and relevant restrictions on mobility throughout the country.

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As for deaths from COVID-19 over 80 years of age during the rising phase of the pandemic, the provinces with more than 80% of deaths in this age group were all those in the North-West, except for Corunna (A Coruña) and Palencia, which did not record any deaths over 80 years of age (nor did Huesca, Badajoz, Huelva, Murcia and Almería in other parts of the country). These data simply reflect the demographic structure in Spain, which is ageing in the North-West. Moreover, it is worth noting the rural nature of many of these provinces in the North-West. This meant an initial stronger protection for these territories. However, once the pandemic arrived, they were in a situation of greater vulnerability due to the high ageing and masculinity of their age-sex pyramids, and to the lower accessibility to high-level hospitals. In absolute figures, more than 600 deaths occurred in Madrid and 150 in Barcelona among people over 80 years of age during this rising phase of the pandemic.