The Biden administration announced on April 15 that it will work with 50 countries around the globe to establish protocols for surveillance, testing, and communication that will theoretically help prevent future pandemics from causing the horrific death counts and life-changing shut-downs that characterized COVID-19. Just a few days earlier, however, the president officially revoked Executive Order 13991, which had required the wearing of masks in all federal facilities, and terminated the position of COVID-19 Response Coordinator (which had been vacant for almost a year anyway).
These actions seem to send two messages: First, that the pandemic is over, so no special measures are required any longer; second, that another pandemic could sweep the world at any time, and the world had better be ready.
For now, despite some concerns about Mpox and the appearance of avian flu (not just on poultry farms but in cattle as well), it’s safe to say that COVID-19 is still the best-known and most feared disease currently in wide circulation.
And still circulating it is. To determine the states where COVID-19 is the worst right now, 24/7 Tempo consulted data from the CDC on the number of new hospital admissions due to COVID-19 per 100,000 state residents for the week of March 31-April 6, 2024. (Click here to compare this week’s numbers with last week’s.)
The news is good. Last week, the state in first — i.e., worst — place, Hawaii, logged some 4.8 hospital admissions related to COVID per 100,000 residents. It still occupies No. 1 on this list, but with hospital admissions that have dropped to 3.6. Alabama was in fourth place last week with 3.9 admissions. It has moved up to No. 2, but the admissions are now 3.4.
Things look good on the other end of the scale, too. Alaska and Wyoming have long been among the states with the lowest admissions rates, probably in part because they are sparsely populated. Last week, Wyoming was last, with 0.9 hospital admissions per 100,000 residents. followed by Alaska with 1.4. The two have swapped places this week, but in both cases their numbers are down — Wyoming to 0.5 admissions, Alaska to 0.3.
Scroll down for the states where COVID-19 is the worst right now:
To determine the states where COVID-19 is the worst right now, 24/7 Tempo reviewed data on recent COVID-19 hospital admissions from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. States were ranked based on the number of new hospital admissions due to COVID-19 per 100,000 state residents for the week of March 31-April 6, 2024. Supplemental data on the total number of recorded COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug. 1, 2020; the total number of deaths due to COVID-19 since January 2020; and the COVID-19 test positivity rate for the week of March 31-April 6, 2024 also came from the CDC. It should be noted that this metric is widely considered to be inaccurate today, due to the closing down of many official testing centers and the fact that the results of home tests are rarely reported. Population data used to adjust hospital admission and death counts per capita came from the U.S. Census Bureau’s Population and Housing Unit Estimates program and is for July 1, 2022.
50. Alaska
- New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, March 31-April 6, 2024: 0.3 per 100,000 (2 total)
- COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug. 1, 2020: 1,436.6 per 100,000 (6th lowest)
- COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 215.1 per 100,000 (5th lowest)
- Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 3.9% (17th highest)
49. Wyoming
- New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, March 31-April 6, 2024: 0.5 per 100,000 (3 total)
- COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug. 1, 2020: 2,095.5 per 100,000 (23rd highest)
- COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 387.9 per 100,000 (18th highest)
- Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 4.3% (11th highest)
48. Montana
- New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, March 31-April 6, 2024: 1.2 per 100,000 (14 total)
- COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug. 1, 2020: 2,875.3 per 100,000 (3rd highest)
- COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 359.5 per 100,000 (24th lowest)
- Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 4.3% (11th highest)
47. Iowa
- New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, March 31-April 6, 2024: 1.2 per 100,000 (40 total)
- COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug. 1, 2020: 1,867.6 per 100,000 (19th lowest)
- COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 364.6 per 100,000 (25th highest)
- Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 3.2% (20th lowest)
46. New Mexico
- New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, March 31-April 6, 2024: 1.3 per 100,000 (28 total)
- COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug. 1, 2020: 1,953.1 per 100,000 (20th lowest)
- COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 458.6 per 100,000 (5th highest)
- Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 2.6% (5th lowest)
45. New Hampshire
- New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, March 31-April 6, 2024: 1.4 per 100,000 (20 total)
- COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug. 1, 2020: 1,468.2 per 100,000 (7th lowest)
- COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 251.6 per 100,000 (7th lowest)
- Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 2.8% (11th lowest)
44. Oregon
- New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, March 31-April 6, 2024: 1.4 per 100,000 (61 total)
- COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug. 1, 2020: 1,233.1 per 100,000 (3rd lowest)
- COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 232.8 per 100,000 (6th lowest)
- Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 3.9% (17th highest)
43. Nebraska
- New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, March 31-April 6, 2024: 1.5 per 100,000 (29 total)
- COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug. 1, 2020: 1,790.3 per 100,000 (17th lowest)
- COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 307.9 per 100,000 (15th lowest)
- Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 3.2% (20th lowest)
42. Colorado
- New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, March 31-April 6, 2024: 1.5 per 100,000 (87 total)
- COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug. 1, 2020: 1,825.7 per 100,000 (18th lowest)
- COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 267.8 per 100,000 (9th lowest)
- Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 4.3% (11th highest)
41. Vermont
- New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, March 31-April 6, 2024: 1.5 per 100,000 (10 total)
- COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug. 1, 2020: 1,134.2 per 100,000 (2nd lowest)
- COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 179.3 per 100,000 (3rd lowest)
- Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 2.8% (11th lowest)
40. Maine
- New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, March 31-April 6, 2024: 1.6 per 100,000 (22 total)
- COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug. 1, 2020: 1,233.4 per 100,000 (4th lowest)
- COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 259.2 per 100,000 (8th lowest)
- Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 2.8% (11th lowest)
39. Kansas
- New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, March 31-April 6, 2024: 1.6 per 100,000 (47 total)
- COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug. 1, 2020: 2,113.2 per 100,000 (22nd highest)
- COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 375.4 per 100,000 (23rd highest)
- Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 3.2% (20th lowest)
38. Minnesota
- New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, March 31-April 6, 2024: 1.7 per 100,000 (95 total)
- COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug. 1, 2020: 1,535.4 per 100,000 (9th lowest)
- COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 288.7 per 100,000 (11th lowest)
- Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 3.4% (21st highest)
37. Arizona
- New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, March 31-April 6, 2024: 1.7 per 100,000 (123 total)
- COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug. 1, 2020: 2,242.7 per 100,000 (14th highest)
- COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 415.6 per 100,000 (13th highest)
- Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 3.4% (21st highest)
36. Washington
- New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, March 31-April 6, 2024: 1.7 per 100,000 (133 total)
- COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug. 1, 2020: 1,098.7 per 100,000 (the lowest)
- COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 204.9 per 100,000 (4th lowest)
- Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 3.9% (17th highest)
35. Utah
- New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, March 31-April 6, 2024: 1.7 per 100,000 (59 total)
- COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug. 1, 2020: 1,517.8 per 100,000 (8th lowest)
- COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 170.0 per 100,000 (2nd lowest)
- Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 4.3% (11th highest)
34. Idaho
- New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, March 31-April 6, 2024: 1.8 per 100,000 (34 total)
- COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug. 1, 2020: 1,588.5 per 100,000 (12th lowest)
- COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 296.2 per 100,000 (13th lowest)
- Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 3.9% (17th highest)
33. Maryland
- New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, March 31-April 6, 2024: 1.8 per 100,000 (109 total)
- COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug. 1, 2020: 1,709.6 per 100,000 (14th lowest)
- COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 310.4 per 100,000 (16th lowest)
- Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 3.1% (16th lowest)
32. Mississippi
- New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, March 31-April 6, 2024: 1.8 per 100,000 (52 total)
- COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug. 1, 2020: 2,020.3 per 100,000 (25th lowest)
- COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 527.0 per 100,000 (the highest)
- Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 4.6% (the highest)
31. Nevada
- New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, March 31-April 6, 2024: 1.8 per 100,000 (58 total)
- COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug. 1, 2020: 2,159.0 per 100,000 (17th highest)
- COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 386.7 per 100,000 (19th highest)
- Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 3.4% (21st highest)
30. California
- New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, March 31-April 6, 2024: 1.8 per 100,000 (719 total)
- COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug. 1, 2020: 1,724.3 per 100,000 (15th lowest)
- COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 289.0 per 100,000 (12th lowest)
- Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 3.4% (21st highest)
29. Oklahoma
- New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, March 31-April 6, 2024: 1.9 per 100,000 (76 total)
- COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug. 1, 2020: 2,912.4 per 100,000 (2nd highest)
- COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 506.9 per 100,000 (3rd highest)
- Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 2.6% (5th lowest)
28. Indiana
- New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, March 31-April 6, 2024: 2.0 per 100,000 (139 total)
- COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug. 1, 2020: 2,216.3 per 100,000 (15th highest)
- COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 397.3 per 100,000 (15th highest)
- Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 3.4% (21st highest)
27. North Dakota
- New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, March 31-April 6, 2024: 2.1 per 100,000 (16 total)
- COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug. 1, 2020: 2,131.1 per 100,000 (20th highest)
- COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 351.5 per 100,000 (22nd lowest)
- Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 4.3% (11th highest)
26. Illinois
- New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, March 31-April 6, 2024: 2.1 per 100,000 (266 total)
- COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug. 1, 2020: 2,017.9 per 100,000 (24th lowest)
- COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 333.7 per 100,000 (18th lowest)
- Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 3.4% (21st highest)
25. Missouri
- New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, March 31-April 6, 2024: 2.1 per 100,000 (132 total)
- COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug. 1, 2020: 2,332.0 per 100,000 (12th highest)
- COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 379.6 per 100,000 (20th highest)
- Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 3.2% (20th lowest)
24. South Carolina
- New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, March 31-April 6, 2024: 2.2 per 100,000 (114 total)
- COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug. 1, 2020: 1,973.5 per 100,000 (21st lowest)
- COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 420.4 per 100,000 (12th highest)
- Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 4.6% (the highest)
23. Texas
- New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, March 31-April 6, 2024: 2.2 per 100,000 (650 total)
- COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug. 1, 2020: 2,166.8 per 100,000 (16th highest)
- COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 349.8 per 100,000 (21st lowest)
- Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 2.6% (5th lowest)
22. Wisconsin
- New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, March 31-April 6, 2024: 2.2 per 100,000 (130 total)
- COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug. 1, 2020: 2,337.1 per 100,000 (11th highest)
- COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 305.2 per 100,000 (14th lowest)
- Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 3.4% (21st highest)
21. Arkansas
- New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, March 31-April 6, 2024: 2.3 per 100,000 (69 total)
- COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug. 1, 2020: 2,400.3 per 100,000 (8th highest)
- COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 428.2 per 100,000 (8th highest)
- Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 2.6% (5th lowest)
20. South Dakota
- New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, March 31-April 6, 2024: 2.3 per 100,000 (21 total)
- COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug. 1, 2020: 2,345.1 per 100,000 (10th highest)
- COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 377.2 per 100,000 (22nd highest)
- Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 4.3% (11th highest)
19. New Jersey
- New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, March 31-April 6, 2024: 2.4 per 100,000 (218 total)
- COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug. 1, 2020: 2,072.0 per 100,000 (25th highest)
- COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 395.4 per 100,000 (16th highest)
- Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 4.4% (9th highest)
18. Massachusetts
- New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, March 31-April 6, 2024: 2.4 per 100,000 (165 total)
- COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug. 1, 2020: 1,704.5 per 100,000 (13th lowest)
- COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 315.5 per 100,000 (17th lowest)
- Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 2.8% (11th lowest)
17. Rhode Island
- New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, March 31-April 6, 2024: 2.4 per 100,000 (26 total)
- COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug. 1, 2020: 1,361.3 per 100,000 (5th lowest)
- COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 377.8 per 100,000 (21st highest)
- Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 2.8% (11th lowest)
16. Georgia
- New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, March 31-April 6, 2024: 2.4 per 100,000 (260 total)
- COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug. 1, 2020: 2,350.8 per 100,000 (9th highest)
- COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 343.3 per 100,000 (20th lowest)
- Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 4.6% (the highest)
15. Ohio
- New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, March 31-April 6, 2024: 2.4 per 100,000 (281 total)
- COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug. 1, 2020: 2,419.4 per 100,000 (7th highest)
- COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 440.6 per 100,000 (7th highest)
- Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 3.4% (21st highest)
14. Connecticut
- New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, March 31-April 6, 2024: 2.4 per 100,000 (87 total)
- COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug. 1, 2020: 1,996.4 per 100,000 (22nd lowest)
- COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 354.4 per 100,000 (23rd lowest)
- Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 2.8% (11th lowest)
13. Kentucky
- New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, March 31-April 6, 2024: 2.4 per 100,000 (110 total)
- COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug. 1, 2020: 3,666.2 per 100,000 (the highest)
- COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 469.4 per 100,000 (4th highest)
- Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 4.6% (the highest)
12. Florida
- New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, March 31-April 6, 2024: 2.5 per 100,000 (546 total)
- COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug. 1, 2020: 2,741.1 per 100,000 (4th highest)
- COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 373.3 per 100,000 (24th highest)
- Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 4.6% (the highest)
11. Delaware
- New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, March 31-April 6, 2024: 2.5 per 100,000 (25 total)
- COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug. 1, 2020: 2,158.2 per 100,000 (18th highest)
- COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 359.8 per 100,000 (25th lowest)
- Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 3.1% (16th lowest)
10. Tennessee
- New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, March 31-April 6, 2024: 2.5 per 100,000 (174 total)
- COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug. 1, 2020: 2,010.1 per 100,000 (23rd lowest)
- COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 424.7 per 100,000 (10th highest)
- Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 4.6% (the highest)
9. Louisiana
- New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, March 31-April 6, 2024: 2.5 per 100,000 (114 total)
- COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug. 1, 2020: 2,245.1 per 100,000 (13th highest)
- COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 397.3 per 100,000 (14th highest)
- Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 2.6% (5th lowest)
8. New York
- New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, March 31-April 6, 2024: 2.5 per 100,000 (499 total)
- COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug. 1, 2020: 2,141.0 per 100,000 (19th highest)
- COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 427.6 per 100,000 (9th highest)
- Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 4.4% (9th highest)
7. North Carolina
- New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, March 31-April 6, 2024: 2.6 per 100,000 (273 total)
- COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug. 1, 2020: 1,727.2 per 100,000 (16th lowest)
- COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 334.1 per 100,000 (19th lowest)
- Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 4.6% (the highest)
6. Pennsylvania
- New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, March 31-April 6, 2024: 2.6 per 100,000 (331 total)
- COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug. 1, 2020: 2,079.1 per 100,000 (24th highest)
- COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 424.7 per 100,000 (11th highest)
- Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 3.1% (16th lowest)
5. Michigan
- New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, March 31-April 6, 2024: 2.6 per 100,000 (257 total)
- COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug. 1, 2020: 2,114.6 per 100,000 (21st highest)
- COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 392.5 per 100,000 (17th highest)
- Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 3.4% (21st highest)
4. West Virginia
- New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, March 31-April 6, 2024: 2.7 per 100,000 (48 total)
- COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug. 1, 2020: 2,681.9 per 100,000 (5th highest)
- COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 510.9 per 100,000 (2nd highest)
- Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 3.1% (16th lowest)
3. Virginia
- New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, March 31-April 6, 2024: 3.0 per 100,000 (262 total)
- COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug. 1, 2020: 1,586.5 per 100,000 (11th lowest)
- COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 287.3 per 100,000 (10th lowest)
- Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 3.1% (16th lowest)
2. Alabama
- New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, March 31-April 6, 2024: 3.4 per 100,000 (173 total)
- COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug. 1, 2020: 2,534.1 per 100,000 (6th highest)
- COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 456.1 per 100,000 (6th highest)
- Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 4.6% (the highest)
1. Hawaii
- New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, March 31-April 6, 2024: 3.6 per 100,000 (52 total)
- COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug. 1, 2020: 1,549.5 per 100,000 (10th lowest)
- COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 145.3 per 100,000 (the lowest)
- Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 3.4% (21st highest)