The newest COVID-19 variants, EG.5 and BA.2.86 – also called Eris and Pirola, respectively – may not be as concerning as initially thought, and booster shots should provide protection against them as well as other currently circulating ones, according to new data and reports from experts.
Still, the new variants have been fueling case surges nationwide, leading to renewed masking policies in some places – and certain states are emerging as current hotspots with the fastest viral spread, while others have remained relatively unaffected.
To determine how bad COVID is right now in every state, 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 hospital admissions due to COVID-19 per 100,000 state residents during the week of Aug. 20-26, 2023.
Analysis of CDC data on factors like hospital admissions shows some regional divides. Southern states, including Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama, consistently have higher rates of new weekly admissions, total admissions, deaths, and test positivity – as they did the previous week, as well. This suggests a more severe, prolonged pandemic impact in the South.
In contrast, Northeastern and Midwestern states tend to have lower COVID figures currently. Hawaii is an outlier, with the second highest admission rate (it was the highest in the previous week), but lower cumulative hospitalizations and deaths, reflecting effective containment. (These are the states with the most health-conscious residents.)
In terms of total admissions since August 2020, Kentucky has seen the most at 3,438.1 hospitalizations per 100,000 people. Oklahoma, Montana, and West Virginia, also rank among the highest for total 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 hospital admissions due to COVID-19 per 100,000 state residents for the week of Aug. 20-26, 2023. 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 Aug. 20-26, 2023, also came from the CDC. 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. New Mexico
> New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, Aug. 20-26, 2023: 1.8 per 100,000 (38 total)
> Total COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug.1, 2020: 1,805.1 per 100,000 (22nd lowest)
> Total COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 441.0 per 100,000 (5th highest)
> Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 20.8% (the highest)
49. Maine
> New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, Aug. 20-26, 2023: 1.9 per 100,000 (26 total)
> Total COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug.1, 2020: 1,086.1 per 100,000 (4th lowest)
> Total COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 236.2 per 100,000 (8th lowest)
> Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 10.4% (8th lowest)
48. Nebraska
> New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, Aug. 20-26, 2023: 2.3 per 100,000 (45 total)
> Total COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug.1, 2020: 1,597.1 per 100,000 (17th lowest)
> Total COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 292.7 per 100,000 (15th lowest)
> Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 14.9% (10th highest)
47. North Dakota
> New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, Aug. 20-26, 2023: 2.7 per 100,000 (21 total)
> Total COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug.1, 2020: 1,925.1 per 100,000 (21st highest)
> Total COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 338.5 per 100,000 (21st lowest)
> Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 14.2% (14th highest)
46. Alaska
> New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, Aug. 20-26, 2023: 2.9 per 100,000 (21 total)
> Total COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug.1, 2020: 1,319.1 per 100,000 (7th lowest)
> Total COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 206.4 per 100,000 (5th lowest)
> Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 12.9% (17th lowest)
45. Utah
> New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, Aug. 20-26, 2023: 2.9 per 100,000 (99 total)
> Total COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug.1, 2020: 1,382.1 per 100,000 (10th lowest)
> Total COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 163.2 per 100,000 (3rd lowest)
> Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 14.2% (14th highest)
44. Michigan
> New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, Aug. 20-26, 2023: 3.0 per 100,000 (302 total)
> Total COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug.1, 2020: 1,912.1 per 100,000 (22nd highest)
> Total COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 375.8 per 100,000 (17th highest)
> Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 13.5% (20th highest)
43. Minnesota
> New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, Aug. 20-26, 2023: 3.1 per 100,000 (176 total)
> Total COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug.1, 2020: 1,373.1 per 100,000 (9th lowest)
> Total COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 271.5 per 100,000 (11th lowest)
> Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 13.5% (20th highest)
42. New Hampshire
> New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, Aug. 20-26, 2023: 3.1 per 100,000 (43 total)
> Total COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug.1, 2020: 1,294.1 per 100,000 (6th lowest)
> Total COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 235.5 per 100,000 (7th lowest)
> Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 10.4% (8th lowest)
41. Rhode Island
> New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, Aug. 20-26, 2023: 3.1 per 100,000 (34 total)
> Total COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug.1, 2020: 1,192.1 per 100,000 (5th lowest)
> Total COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 363.5 per 100,000 (20th highest)
> Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 10.4% (8th lowest)
40. Idaho
> New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, Aug. 20-26, 2023: 3.1 per 100,000 (61 total)
> Total COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug.1, 2020: 1,419.1 per 100,000 (12th lowest)
> Total COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 284.3 per 100,000 (13th lowest)
> Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 12.9% (17th lowest)
39. Ohio
> New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, Aug. 20-26, 2023: 3.1 per 100,000 (370 total)
> Total COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug.1, 2020: 2,209.1 per 100,000 (7th highest)
> Total COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 422.8 per 100,000 (7th highest)
> Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 13.5% (20th highest)
38. Oklahoma
> New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, Aug. 20-26, 2023: 3.2 per 100,000 (130 total)
> Total COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug.1, 2020: 2,725.1 per 100,000 (2nd highest)
> Total COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 485.3 per 100,000 (3rd highest)
> Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 20.8% (the highest)
37. Colorado
> New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, Aug. 20-26, 2023: 3.3 per 100,000 (191 total)
> Total COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug.1, 2020: 1,650.1 per 100,000 (18th lowest)
> Total COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 256.0 per 100,000 (9th lowest)
> Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 14.2% (14th highest)
36. Wisconsin
> New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, Aug. 20-26, 2023: 3.3 per 100,000 (195 total)
> Total COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug.1, 2020: 2,138.1 per 100,000 (10th highest)
> Total COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 290.9 per 100,000 (14th lowest)
> Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 13.5% (20th highest)
35. New Jersey
> New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, Aug. 20-26, 2023: 3.4 per 100,000 (311 total)
> Total COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug.1, 2020: 1,854.1 per 100,000 (25th lowest)
> Total COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 381.1 per 100,000 (15th highest)
> Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 9.6% (2nd lowest)
34. Arizona
> New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, Aug. 20-26, 2023: 3.4 per 100,000 (253 total)
> Total COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug.1, 2020: 2,079.1 per 100,000 (13th highest)
> Total COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 403.4 per 100,000 (12th highest)
> Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 16.1% (6th highest)
33. Pennsylvania
> New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, Aug. 20-26, 2023: 3.5 per 100,000 (452 total)
> Total COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug.1, 2020: 1,881.1 per 100,000 (25th highest)
> Total COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 405.9 per 100,000 (11th highest)
> Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 12.1% (13th lowest)
32. South Dakota
> New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, Aug. 20-26, 2023: 3.5 per 100,000 (32 total)
> Total COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug.1, 2020: 2,102.1 per 100,000 (11th highest)
> Total COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 359.7 per 100,000 (23rd highest)
> Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 14.2% (14th highest)
31. Delaware
> New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, Aug. 20-26, 2023: 3.5 per 100,000 (36 total)
> Total COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug.1, 2020: 1,968.1 per 100,000 (18th highest)
> Total COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 339.1 per 100,000 (23rd lowest)
> Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 12.1% (13th lowest)
30. Vermont
> New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, Aug. 20-26, 2023: 3.6 per 100,000 (23 total)
> Total COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug.1, 2020: 965.1 per 100,000 (the lowest)
> Total COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 157.0 per 100,000 (2nd lowest)
> Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 10.4% (8th lowest)
29. Washington
> New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, Aug. 20-26, 2023: 3.7 per 100,000 (285 total)
> Total COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug.1, 2020: 979.1 per 100,000 (2nd lowest)
> Total COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 192.8 per 100,000 (4th lowest)
> Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 12.9% (17th lowest)
28. Kansas
> New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, Aug. 20-26, 2023: 3.7 per 100,000 (108 total)
> Total COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug.1, 2020: 1,934.1 per 100,000 (20th highest)
> Total COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 360.3 per 100,000 (22nd highest)
> Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 14.9% (10th highest)
27. Maryland
> New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, Aug. 20-26, 2023: 3.7 per 100,000 (231 total)
> Total COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug.1, 2020: 1,547.1 per 100,000 (14th lowest)
> Total COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 293.6 per 100,000 (16th lowest)
> Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 12.1% (13th lowest)
26. Iowa
> New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, Aug. 20-26, 2023: 3.8 per 100,000 (123 total)
> Total COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug.1, 2020: 1,689.1 per 100,000 (19th lowest)
> Total COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 347.2 per 100,000 (25th highest)
> Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 14.9% (10th highest)
25. Oregon
> New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, Aug. 20-26, 2023: 4.0 per 100,000 (170 total)
> Total COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug.1, 2020: 1,082.1 per 100,000 (3rd lowest)
> Total COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 219.0 per 100,000 (6th lowest)
> Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 12.9% (17th lowest)
24. Indiana
> New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, Aug. 20-26, 2023: 4.1 per 100,000 (279 total)
> Total COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug.1, 2020: 2,031.1 per 100,000 (15th highest)
> Total COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 379.3 per 100,000 (16th highest)
> Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 13.5% (20th highest)
23. Virginia
> New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, Aug. 20-26, 2023: 4.1 per 100,000 (360 total)
> Total COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug.1, 2020: 1,389.1 per 100,000 (11th lowest)
> Total COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 271.2 per 100,000 (10th lowest)
> Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 12.1% (13th lowest)
22. Nevada
> New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, Aug. 20-26, 2023: 4.2 per 100,000 (132 total)
> Total COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug.1, 2020: 2,020.1 per 100,000 (16th highest)
> Total COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 374.9 per 100,000 (18th highest)
> Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 16.1% (6th highest)
21. Illinois
> New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, Aug. 20-26, 2023: 4.4 per 100,000 (551 total)
> Total COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug.1, 2020: 1,813.1 per 100,000 (23rd lowest)
> Total COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 320.6 per 100,000 (19th lowest)
> Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 13.5% (20th highest)
20. North Carolina
> New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, Aug. 20-26, 2023: 4.4 per 100,000 (469 total)
> Total COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug.1, 2020: 1,561.1 per 100,000 (16th lowest)
> Total COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 315.7 per 100,000 (18th lowest)
> Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 13.1% (25th lowest)
19. Missouri
> New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, Aug. 20-26, 2023: 4.6 per 100,000 (282 total)
> Total COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug.1, 2020: 2,100.1 per 100,000 (12th highest)
> Total COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 363.5 per 100,000 (21st highest)
> Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 14.9% (10th highest)
18. Montana
> New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, Aug. 20-26, 2023: 4.7 per 100,000 (53 total)
> Total COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug.1, 2020: 2,667.1 per 100,000 (3rd highest)
> Total COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 344.6 per 100,000 (25th lowest)
> Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 14.2% (14th highest)
17. West Virginia
> New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, Aug. 20-26, 2023: 4.9 per 100,000 (87 total)
> Total COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug.1, 2020: 2,372.1 per 100,000 (5th highest)
> Total COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 486.2 per 100,000 (2nd highest)
> Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 12.1% (13th lowest)
16. Kentucky
> New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, Aug. 20-26, 2023: 4.9 per 100,000 (222 total)
> Total COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug.1, 2020: 3,438.1 per 100,000 (the highest)
> Total COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 442.1 per 100,000 (4th highest)
> Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 13.1% (25th lowest)
15. Massachusetts
> New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, Aug. 20-26, 2023: 5.1 per 100,000 (354 total)
> Total COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug.1, 2020: 1,477.1 per 100,000 (13th lowest)
> Total COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 299.4 per 100,000 (17th lowest)
> Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 10.4% (8th lowest)
14. Connecticut
> New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, Aug. 20-26, 2023: 5.1 per 100,000 (184 total)
> Total COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug.1, 2020: 1,774.1 per 100,000 (20th lowest)
> Total COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 338.8 per 100,000 (22nd lowest)
> Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 10.4% (8th lowest)
13. Wyoming
> New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, Aug. 20-26, 2023: 5.2 per 100,000 (30 total)
> Total COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug.1, 2020: 1,954.1 per 100,000 (19th highest)
> Total COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 367.9 per 100,000 (19th highest)
> Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 14.2% (14th highest)
12. Texas
> New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, Aug. 20-26, 2023: 5.5 per 100,000 (1638 total)
> Total COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug.1, 2020: 2,015.1 per 100,000 (17th highest)
> Total COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 340.3 per 100,000 (24th lowest)
> Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 20.8% (the highest)
11. Tennessee
> New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, Aug. 20-26, 2023: 5.6 per 100,000 (395 total)
> Total COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug.1, 2020: 1,841.1 per 100,000 (24th lowest)
> Total COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 406.1 per 100,000 (10th highest)
> Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 13.1% (25th lowest)
10. New York
> New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, Aug. 20-26, 2023: 5.6 per 100,000 (1108 total)
> Total COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug.1, 2020: 1,898.1 per 100,000 (23rd highest)
> Total COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 412.1 per 100,000 (8th highest)
> Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 9.6% (2nd lowest)
9. South Carolina
> New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, Aug. 20-26, 2023: 6.0 per 100,000 (316 total)
> Total COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug.1, 2020: 1,783.1 per 100,000 (21st lowest)
> Total COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 402.2 per 100,000 (13th highest)
> Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 13.1% (25th lowest)
8. Mississippi
> New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, Aug. 20-26, 2023: 6.3 per 100,000 (184 total)
> Total COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug.1, 2020: 1,890.1 per 100,000 (24th highest)
> Total COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 503.3 per 100,000 (the highest)
> Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 13.1% (25th lowest)
7. California
> New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, Aug. 20-26, 2023: 6.6 per 100,000 (2593 total)
> Total COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug.1, 2020: 1,547.1 per 100,000 (15th lowest)
> Total COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 278.6 per 100,000 (12th lowest)
> Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 16.1% (6th highest)
6. Arkansas
> New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, Aug. 20-26, 2023: 6.8 per 100,000 (207 total)
> Total COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug.1, 2020: 2,197.1 per 100,000 (8th highest)
> Total COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 411.4 per 100,000 (9th highest)
> Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 20.8% (the highest)
5. Georgia
> New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, Aug. 20-26, 2023: 7.1 per 100,000 (772 total)
> Total COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug.1, 2020: 2,182.1 per 100,000 (9th highest)
> Total COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 331.0 per 100,000 (20th lowest)
> Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 13.1% (25th lowest)
4. Alabama
> New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, Aug. 20-26, 2023: 7.4 per 100,000 (374 total)
> Total COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug.1, 2020: 2,290.1 per 100,000 (6th highest)
> Total COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 440.3 per 100,000 (6th highest)
> Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 13.1% (25th lowest)
3. Louisiana
> New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, Aug. 20-26, 2023: 7.4 per 100,000 (340 total)
> Total COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug.1, 2020: 2,075.1 per 100,000 (14th highest)
> Total COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 384.3 per 100,000 (14th highest)
> Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 20.8% (the highest)
2. Hawaii
> New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, Aug. 20-26, 2023: 9.3 per 100,000 (134 total)
> Total COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug.1, 2020: 1,339.1 per 100,000 (8th lowest)
> Total COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 135.2 per 100,000 (the lowest)
> Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 16.1% (6th highest)
1. Florida
> New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, Aug. 20-26, 2023: 10.8 per 100,000 (2,406 total)
> Total COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug.1, 2020: 2,543.1 per 100,000 (4th highest)
> Total COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 358.7 per 100,000 (24th highest)
> Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 13.1% (25th lowest)