COVID-19 is still very much around, though it isn’t wreaking the kind of medical and societal havoc it did in the recent past. Nonetheless, it still sends many thousands of people to the hospital every week, some of whom never return. And notwithstanding the naysayers — some of them with famous names — vaccines remain the best protection against the disease.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention lists these inoculations first in its recommendations for core strategies aimed at lessening the impact of the virus. “Stay up to date with COVID-19 vaccines,” the guidelines begin. Next, “Practice good hygiene (practices that improve cleanliness)” and “Take steps for cleaner air.”
The CDC stresses that “Although vaccinated people sometimes get infected with the virus…staying up to date on COVID-19 vaccines significantly lowers the risk of getting very sick, being hospitalized, or dying….” In fact, the agency speculates that the latest available version of the vaccine, introduced last fall, could prevent as many as 400,000 hospitalizations and 40,000 deaths due to COVID over the next two years.
It’s worth noting this most recent shot is not considered a booster like the previous iteration, but rather an updated vaccine. In approving it, the FDA explained that “Barring the emergence of a markedly more virulent variant, the FDA anticipates that the composition of COVID vaccines may need to be updated annually, as is done for the seasonal influenza vaccine.”
Ready access to vaccines, as well as the willingness to take them, varies from place to place around the country, and these are among the reasons that the rate of COVID-related hospitalizations varies considerably from state to state.
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 April 7-13, 2024. (Click here to compare this week’s numbers with last week’s.)
Scroll down to see the states where COVID-19 is the worst right now.
As an indication that we can’t forget about the coronavirus completely, it should be noted that while Hawaii remains the state with the highest number of hospital admissions as it was last week, its rate edged up slightly from 3.6 to 4.0 per 100,000. The state with the fewest admissions is also the same as it was last week — Alaska. Here, too, however, there has been a slight increase, from 0.3 to 1.0 admissions.
Methodology:
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 April 7-13, 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 April 7-13, 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, April 7-13, 2024: 1.0 per 100,000 (7 total)
- COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug. 1, 2020: 1,437.9 per 100,000 (6th lowest)
- COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 215.2 per 100,000 (5th lowest)
- Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 4.0% (the highest)
49. Iowa
- New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, April 7-13, 2024: 1.1 per 100,000 (34 total)
- COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug. 1, 2020: 1,868.8 per 100,000 (19th lowest)
- COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 364.8 per 100,000 (25th highest)
- Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 2.9% (20th lowest)
48. Maine
- New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, April 7-13, 2024: 1.1 per 100,000 (15 total)
- COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug. 1, 2020: 1,234.5 per 100,000 (3rd lowest)
- COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 259.4 per 100,000 (8th lowest)
- Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 3.0% (25th highest)
47. Vermont
- New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, April 7-13, 2024: 1.2 per 100,000 (8 total)
- COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug. 1, 2020: 1,135.6 per 100,000 (2nd lowest)
- COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 179.4 per 100,000 (3rd lowest)
- Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 3.0% (25th highest)
46. Mississippi
- New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, April 7-13, 2024: 1.3 per 100,000 (37 total)
- COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug. 1, 2020: 2,021.5 per 100,000 (25th lowest)
- COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 527.1 per 100,000 (the highest)
- Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 3.1% (17th highest)
45. Kansas
- New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, April 7-13, 2024: 1.3 per 100,000 (38 total)
- COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug. 1, 2020: 2,114.6 per 100,000 (22nd highest)
- COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 375.7 per 100,000 (23rd highest)
- Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 2.9% (20th lowest)
44. Washington
- New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, April 7-13, 2024: 1.3 per 100,000 (102 total)
- COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug. 1, 2020: 1,100.0 per 100,000 (the lowest)
- COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 205.1 per 100,000 (4th lowest)
- Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 4.0% (the highest)
43. Utah
- New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, April 7-13, 2024: 1.4 per 100,000 (46 total)
- COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug. 1, 2020: 1,519.2 per 100,000 (8th lowest)
- COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 170.1 per 100,000 (2nd lowest)
- Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 2.9% (20th lowest)
42. Nevada
- New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, April 7-13, 2024: 1.4 per 100,000 (44 total)
- COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug. 1, 2020: 2,160.5 per 100,000 (18th highest)
- COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 386.8 per 100,000 (19th highest)
- Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 3.5% (11th highest)
41. Colorado
- New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, April 7-13, 2024: 1.4 per 100,000 (82 total)
- COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug. 1, 2020: 1,827.1 per 100,000 (18th lowest)
- COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 268.0 per 100,000 (9th lowest)
- Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 2.9% (20th lowest)
40. Maryland
- New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, April 7-13, 2024: 1.4 per 100,000 (89 total)
- COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug. 1, 2020: 1,711.1 per 100,000 (14th lowest)
- COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 310.7 per 100,000 (16th lowest)
- Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 2.8% (10th lowest)
39. New Mexico
- New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, April 7-13, 2024: 1.5 per 100,000 (31 total)
- COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug. 1, 2020: 1,954.6 per 100,000 (20th lowest)
- COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 459.0 per 100,000 (5th highest)
- Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 2.4% (5th lowest)
38. Minnesota
- New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, April 7-13, 2024: 1.5 per 100,000 (87 total)
- COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug. 1, 2020: 1,537.0 per 100,000 (9th lowest)
- COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 288.9 per 100,000 (11th lowest)
- Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 4.0% (the highest)
37. Indiana
- New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, April 7-13, 2024: 1.5 per 100,000 (105 total)
- COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug. 1, 2020: 2,217.9 per 100,000 (15th highest)
- COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 397.4 per 100,000 (15th highest)
- Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 4.0% (the highest)
36. Wisconsin
- New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, April 7-13, 2024: 1.6 per 100,000 (92 total)
- COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug. 1, 2020: 2,338.7 per 100,000 (11th highest)
- COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 305.4 per 100,000 (14th lowest)
- Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 4.0% (the highest)
35. Connecticut
- New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, April 7-13, 2024: 1.6 per 100,000 (58 total)
- COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug. 1, 2020: 1,998.0 per 100,000 (22nd lowest)
- COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 354.9 per 100,000 (23rd lowest)
- Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 3.0% (25th highest)
34. Montana
- New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, April 7-13, 2024: 1.6 per 100,000 (18 total)
- COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug. 1, 2020: 2,877.2 per 100,000 (3rd highest)
- COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 359.8 per 100,000 (24th lowest)
- Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 2.9% (20th lowest)
33. Oregon
- New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, April 7-13, 2024: 1.6 per 100,000 (68 total)
- COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug. 1, 2020: 1,235.0 per 100,000 (4th lowest)
- COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 233.0 per 100,000 (6th lowest)
- Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 4.0% (the highest)
32. New Hampshire
- New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, April 7-13, 2024: 1.6 per 100,000 (23 total)
- COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug. 1, 2020: 1,469.9 per 100,000 (7th lowest)
- COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 251.9 per 100,000 (7th lowest)
- Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 3.0% (25th highest)
31. Arizona
- New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, April 7-13, 2024: 1.7 per 100,000 (124 total)
- COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug. 1, 2020: 2,244.4 per 100,000 (14th highest)
- COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 415.7 per 100,000 (13th highest)
- Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 3.5% (11th highest)
30. Tennessee
- New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, April 7-13, 2024: 1.7 per 100,000 (120 total)
- COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug. 1, 2020: 2,011.9 per 100,000 (23rd lowest)
- COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 424.8 per 100,000 (11th highest)
- Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 3.1% (17th highest)
29. Louisiana
- New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, April 7-13, 2024: 1.7 per 100,000 (79 total)
- COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug. 1, 2020: 2,246.8 per 100,000 (13th highest)
- COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 397.7 per 100,000 (14th highest)
- Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 2.4% (5th lowest)
28. Nebraska
- New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, April 7-13, 2024: 1.7 per 100,000 (34 total)
- COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug. 1, 2020: 1,792.0 per 100,000 (17th lowest)
- COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 307.9 per 100,000 (15th lowest)
- Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 2.9% (20th lowest)
27. Idaho
- New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, April 7-13, 2024: 1.8 per 100,000 (34 total)
- COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug. 1, 2020: 1,590.2 per 100,000 (12th lowest)
- COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 296.4 per 100,000 (13th lowest)
- Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 4.0% (the highest)
26. New Jersey
- New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, April 7-13, 2024: 1.8 per 100,000 (163 total)
- COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug. 1, 2020: 2,073.9 per 100,000 (25th highest)
- COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 395.5 per 100,000 (16th highest)
- Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 3.4% (15th highest)
25. Texas
- New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, April 7-13, 2024: 1.8 per 100,000 (532 total)
- COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug. 1, 2020: 2,168.5 per 100,000 (16th highest)
- COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 350.0 per 100,000 (21st lowest)
- Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 2.4% (5th lowest)
24. Arkansas
- New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, April 7-13, 2024: 1.8 per 100,000 (56 total)
- COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug. 1, 2020: 2,402.2 per 100,000 (8th highest)
- COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 428.5 per 100,000 (8th highest)
- Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 2.4% (5th lowest)
23. California
- New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, April 7-13, 2024: 1.8 per 100,000 (718 total)
- COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug. 1, 2020: 1,726.2 per 100,000 (15th lowest)
- COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 289.2 per 100,000 (12th lowest)
- Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 3.5% (11th highest)
22. Oklahoma
- New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, April 7-13, 2024: 1.9 per 100,000 (75 total)
- COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug. 1, 2020: 2,914.3 per 100,000 (2nd highest)
- COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 507.3 per 100,000 (3rd highest)
- Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 2.4% (5th lowest)
21. Georgia
- New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, April 7-13, 2024: 1.9 per 100,000 (206 total)
- COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug. 1, 2020: 2,352.6 per 100,000 (9th highest)
- COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 343.6 per 100,000 (20th lowest)
- Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 3.1% (17th highest)
20. Wyoming
- New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, April 7-13, 2024: 1.9 per 100,000 (11 total)
- COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug. 1, 2020: 2,097.4 per 100,000 (23rd highest)
- COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 388.0 per 100,000 (18th highest)
- Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 2.9% (20th lowest)
19. Florida
- New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, April 7-13, 2024: 2.0 per 100,000 (441 total)
- COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug. 1, 2020: 2,743.1 per 100,000 (4th highest)
- COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 373.5 per 100,000 (24th highest)
- Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 3.1% (17th highest)
18. Illinois
- New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, April 7-13, 2024: 2.0 per 100,000 (251 total)
- COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug. 1, 2020: 2,019.9 per 100,000 (24th lowest)
- COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 333.9 per 100,000 (18th lowest)
- Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 4.0% (the highest)
17. North Carolina
- New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, April 7-13, 2024: 2.0 per 100,000 (216 total)
- COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug. 1, 2020: 1,729.2 per 100,000 (16th lowest)
- COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 334.6 per 100,000 (19th lowest)
- Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 3.1% (17th highest)
16. West Virginia
- New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, April 7-13, 2024: 2.0 per 100,000 (36 total)
- COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug. 1, 2020: 2,684.0 per 100,000 (5th highest)
- COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 511.2 per 100,000 (2nd highest)
- Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 2.8% (10th lowest)
15. Michigan
- New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, April 7-13, 2024: 2.0 per 100,000 (204 total)
- COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug. 1, 2020: 2,116.8 per 100,000 (21st highest)
- COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 392.7 per 100,000 (17th highest)
- Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 4.0% (the highest)
14. Ohio
- New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, April 7-13, 2024: 2.0 per 100,000 (240 total)
- COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug. 1, 2020: 2,421.5 per 100,000 (7th highest)
- COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 440.8 per 100,000 (7th highest)
- Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 4.0% (the highest)
13. South Carolina
- New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, April 7-13, 2024: 2.1 per 100,000 (111 total)
- COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug. 1, 2020: 1,975.7 per 100,000 (21st lowest)
- COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 420.7 per 100,000 (12th highest)
- Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 3.1% (17th highest)
12. Rhode Island
- New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, April 7-13, 2024: 2.1 per 100,000 (23 total)
- COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug. 1, 2020: 1,363.4 per 100,000 (5th lowest)
- COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 378.0 per 100,000 (21st highest)
- Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 3.0% (25th highest)
11. Missouri
- New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, April 7-13, 2024: 2.1 per 100,000 (130 total)
- COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug. 1, 2020: 2,334.2 per 100,000 (12th highest)
- COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 379.9 per 100,000 (20th highest)
- Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 2.9% (20th lowest)
10. Massachusetts
- New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, April 7-13, 2024: 2.3 per 100,000 (159 total)
- COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug. 1, 2020: 1,706.8 per 100,000 (13th lowest)
- COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 315.6 per 100,000 (17th lowest)
- Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 3.0% (25th highest)
9. New York
- New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, April 7-13, 2024: 2.3 per 100,000 (452 total)
- COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug. 1, 2020: 2,143.3 per 100,000 (19th highest)
- COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 427.9 per 100,000 (9th highest)
- Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 3.4% (15th highest)
8. Pennsylvania
- New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, April 7-13, 2024: 2.3 per 100,000 (302 total)
- COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug. 1, 2020: 2,082.8 per 100,000 (24th highest)
- COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 424.9 per 100,000 (10th highest)
- Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 2.8% (10th lowest)
7. Kentucky
- New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, April 7-13, 2024: 2.4 per 100,000 (109 total)
- COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug. 1, 2020: 3,668.7 per 100,000 (the highest)
- COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 469.8 per 100,000 (4th highest)
- Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 3.1% (17th highest)
6. Alabama
- New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, April 7-13, 2024: 2.9 per 100,000 (146 total)
- COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug. 1, 2020: 2,537.0 per 100,000 (6th highest)
- COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 456.4 per 100,000 (6th highest)
- Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 3.1% (17th highest)
5. Virginia
- New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, April 7-13, 2024: 2.9 per 100,000 (253 total)
- COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug. 1, 2020: 1,589.4 per 100,000 (11th lowest)
- COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 287.5 per 100,000 (10th lowest)
- Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 2.8% (10th lowest)
4. North Dakota
- New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, April 7-13, 2024: 3.0 per 100,000 (23 total)
- COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug. 1, 2020: 2,134.8 per 100,000 (20th highest)
- COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 351.7 per 100,000 (22nd lowest)
- Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 2.9% (20th lowest)
3. South Dakota
- New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, April 7-13, 2024: 3.3 per 100,000 (30 total)
- COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug. 1, 2020: 2,348.5 per 100,000 (10th highest)
- COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 377.3 per 100,000 (22nd highest)
- Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 2.9% (20th lowest)
2. Delaware
- New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, April 7-13, 2024: 3.3 per 100,000 (34 total)
- COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug. 1, 2020: 2,161.5 per 100,000 (17th highest)
- COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 360.0 per 100,000 (25th lowest)
- Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 2.8% (10th lowest)
1. Hawaii
- New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, April 7-13, 2024: 4.0 per 100,000 (57 total)
- COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug. 1, 2020: 1,553.5 per 100,000 (10th lowest)
- COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 145.4 per 100,000 (the lowest)
- Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 3.5% (11th highest)