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States Where the COVID-19 Surge Is the Worst Right Now

States Where the COVID-19 Surge Is the Worst Right Now

Updated: September 12, 2024 by Amy Williams

Even though it’s been four years since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, COVID-19 is still impacting many people across the country. Like the flu, there are many variants of COVID and the rates of infection go up and down, depending on many factors. There is data to determine the states where COVID-19 is the worst right now.

According to the CDC, the KP.3 variant currently makes up about 25% of all COVID-19 cases in the nation. The current rates of COVID-19 are high nationwide, but some states are much higher than others. In the states with high COVID rates, there are also high rates of emergency department visits diagnosed as COVID. The rate of emergency room visits due to COVID-19 is the highest it’s been since February of this year.

When we look at COVID cases by state, some of the states with the lowest rates are Wyoming, North Dakota, and Vermont. Overall, the rates of COVID-19 deaths in these states are low compared to some of the more populated states like Texas and Florida. (Click here to compare these numbers to rates from earlier this year.)

Since the rates of positive COVID tests are constantly changing, it’s important to look at the most updated information when determining the states where COVID-19 is the worst.

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 percentage of emergency department visits diagnosed as COVID-19 in the week of July 14-20, 2024. Supplemental data on the number of COVID-19 deaths in the past three months; the total number of deaths due to COVID-19 since January 2020; and the COVID-19 test positivity rate for the week of July 14-20, 2024 also came from the CDC. Three states – Oklahoma, Minnesota, and Missouri – had insufficient emergency department visit data and were excluded. Population data used to adjust death counts per capita came from the U.S. Census Bureau’s Population and Housing Unit Estimates program and is for July 1, 2022.

Here is the list of states where COVID-19 is the worst right now.

47. Wyoming

Emergency department visits diagnosed as COVID-19 in past week: 0.0%
COVID-19 deaths in the past three months: 0.9 per 100,000 (7th lowest)
COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 390.1 per 100,000 (18th highest)
Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 14.2% (10th highest)

46. North Dakota

Emergency department visits diagnosed as COVID-19 in past week: 0.7%
COVID-19 deaths in the past three months: 0.6 per 100,000 (the lowest)
COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 353.3 per 100,000 (22nd lowest)
Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 14.2% (10th highest)

45. Vermont

Emergency department visits diagnosed as COVID-19 in past week: 0.8%
COVID-19 deaths in the past three months: 0.8 per 100,000 (4th lowest)
COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 181.7 per 100,000 (3rd lowest)
Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 11.4% (21st lowest)

44. Rhode Island

Emergency department visits diagnosed as COVID-19 in past week: 0.8%
COVID-19 deaths in the past three months: 1.0 per 100,000 (15th lowest)
COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 379.5 per 100,000 (22nd highest)
Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 11.4% (21st lowest)

43. West Virginia

Emergency department visits diagnosed as COVID-19 in past week: 0.9%
COVID-19 deaths in the past three months: 2.0 per 100,000 (6th highest)
COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 514.3 per 100,000 (2nd highest)
Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 11.0% (13th lowest)

42. Nebraska

Emergency department visits diagnosed as COVID-19 in past week: 0.9%
COVID-19 deaths in the past three months: 1.6 per 100,000 (12th highest)
COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 310.5 per 100,000 (15th lowest)
Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 14.0% (16th highest)

41. Pennsylvania

Emergency department visits diagnosed as COVID-19 in past week: 0.9%
COVID-19 deaths in the past three months: 1.1 per 100,000 (19th lowest)
COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 426.5 per 100,000 (11th highest)
Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 11.0% (13th lowest)

40. South Dakota

Emergency department visits diagnosed as COVID-19 in past week: 1.0%
COVID-19 deaths in the past three months: 2.3 per 100,000 (3rd highest)
COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 380.0 per 100,000 (21st highest)
Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 14.2% (10th highest)

39. Michigan

Emergency department visits diagnosed as COVID-19 in past week: 1.0%
COVID-19 deaths in the past three months: 1.1 per 100,000 (22nd lowest)
COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 394.4 per 100,000 (17th highest)
Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 14.0% (16th highest)

38. Kansas

Emergency department visits diagnosed as COVID-19 in past week: 1.0%
COVID-19 deaths in the past three months: 1.0 per 100,000 (13th lowest)
COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 377.0 per 100,000 (23rd highest)
Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 14.0% (16th highest)

37. Iowa

Emergency department visits diagnosed as COVID-19 in past week: 1.0%
COVID-19 deaths in the past three months: 0.9 per 100,000 (8th lowest)
COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 365.9 per 100,000 (25th highest)
Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 14.0% (16th highest)

36. New Hampshire

Emergency department visits diagnosed as COVID-19 in past week: 1.1%
COVID-19 deaths in the past three months: 0.9 per 100,000 (10th lowest)
COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 253.4 per 100,000 (7th lowest)
Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 11.4% (21st lowest)

35. Ohio

Emergency department visits diagnosed as COVID-19 in past week: 1.1%
COVID-19 deaths in the past three months: 1.1 per 100,000 (18th lowest)
COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 442.7 per 100,000 (7th highest)
Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 14.0% (16th highest)

34. Maine

Emergency department visits diagnosed as COVID-19 in past week: 1.1%
COVID-19 deaths in the past three months: 1.7 per 100,000 (10th highest)
COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 261.8 per 100,000 (8th lowest)
Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 11.4% (21st lowest)

33. New York

Emergency department visits diagnosed as COVID-19 in past week: 1.2%
COVID-19 deaths in the past three months: 1.3 per 100,000 (21st highest)
COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 429.7 per 100,000 (9th highest)
Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 11.2% (15th lowest)

32. Indiana

Emergency department visits diagnosed as COVID-19 in past week: 1.2%
COVID-19 deaths in the past three months: 1.0 per 100,000 (11th lowest)
COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 399.1 per 100,000 (15th highest)
Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 14.0% (16th highest)

31. Montana

Emergency department visits diagnosed as COVID-19 in past week: 1.3%
COVID-19 deaths in the past three months: 1.8 per 100,000 (9th highest)
COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 362.3 per 100,000 (24th lowest)
Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 14.2% (10th highest)

30. New Jersey

Emergency department visits diagnosed as COVID-19 in past week: 1.3%
COVID-19 deaths in the past three months: 1.3 per 100,000 (23rd highest)
COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 397.3 per 100,000 (16th highest)
Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 11.2% (15th lowest)

29. Tennessee

Emergency department visits diagnosed as COVID-19 in past week: 1.3%
COVID-19 deaths in the past three months: 1.3 per 100,000 (25th lowest)
COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 426.7 per 100,000 (10th highest)
Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 9.7% (8th lowest)

28. Nevada

Emergency department visits diagnosed as COVID-19 in past week: 1.4%
COVID-19 deaths in the past three months: 1.2 per 100,000 (24th lowest)
COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 388.7 per 100,000 (19th highest)
Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 17.8% (6th highest)

27. Idaho

Emergency department visits diagnosed as COVID-19 in past week: 1.4%
COVID-19 deaths in the past three months: 1.1 per 100,000 (21st lowest)
COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 297.8 per 100,000 (13th lowest)
Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 12.9% (25th lowest)

26. Massachusetts

Emergency department visits diagnosed as COVID-19 in past week: 1.4%
COVID-19 deaths in the past three months: 1.3 per 100,000 (17th highest)
COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 317.6 per 100,000 (17th lowest)
Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 11.4% (21st lowest)

25. Arkansas

Emergency department visits diagnosed as COVID-19 in past week: 1.4%
COVID-19 deaths in the past three months: 1.4 per 100,000 (16th highest)
COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 430.8 per 100,000 (8th highest)
Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 23.4% (the highest)

24. Wisconsin

Emergency department visits diagnosed as COVID-19 in past week: 1.4%
COVID-19 deaths in the past three months: 1.0 per 100,000 (12th lowest)
COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 307.0 per 100,000 (14th lowest)
Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 14.0% (16th highest)

23. Illinois

Emergency department visits diagnosed as COVID-19 in past week: 1.5%
COVID-19 deaths in the past three months: 0.8 per 100,000 (6th lowest)
COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 335.1 per 100,000 (18th lowest)
Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 14.0% (16th highest)

22. Georgia

Emergency department visits diagnosed as COVID-19 in past week: 1.5%
COVID-19 deaths in the past three months: 1.0 per 100,000 (14th lowest)
COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 345.4 per 100,000 (20th lowest)
Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 9.7% (8th lowest)

21. Delaware

Emergency department visits diagnosed as COVID-19 in past week: 1.5%
COVID-19 deaths in the past three months: 2.0 per 100,000 (7th highest)
COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 363.6 per 100,000 (25th lowest)
Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 11.0% (13th lowest)

20. Maryland

Emergency department visits diagnosed as COVID-19 in past week: 1.6%
COVID-19 deaths in the past three months: 1.7 per 100,000 (11th highest)
COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 313.0 per 100,000 (16th lowest)
Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 11.0% (13th lowest)

19. Colorado

Emergency department visits diagnosed as COVID-19 in past week: 1.6%
COVID-19 deaths in the past three months: 1.4 per 100,000 (15th highest)
COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 269.9 per 100,000 (9th lowest)
Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 14.2% (10th highest)

18. Utah

Emergency department visits diagnosed as COVID-19 in past week: 1.6%
COVID-19 deaths in the past three months: 0.9 per 100,000 (9th lowest)
COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 171.2 per 100,000 (2nd lowest)
Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 14.2% (10th highest)

17. Connecticut

Emergency department visits diagnosed as COVID-19 in past week: 1.6%
COVID-19 deaths in the past three months: 1.1 per 100,000 (20th lowest)
COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 356.4 per 100,000 (23rd lowest)
Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 11.4% (21st lowest)

16. North Carolina

Emergency department visits diagnosed as COVID-19 in past week: 1.7%
COVID-19 deaths in the past three months: 1.4 per 100,000 (14th highest)
COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 336.7 per 100,000 (19th lowest)
Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 9.7% (8th lowest)

15. Kentucky

Emergency department visits diagnosed as COVID-19 in past week: 1.7%
COVID-19 deaths in the past three months: 2.0 per 100,000 (4th highest)
COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 473.4 per 100,000 (4th highest)
Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 9.7% (8th lowest)

14. Alabama

Emergency department visits diagnosed as COVID-19 in past week: 1.7%
COVID-19 deaths in the past three months: 1.3 per 100,000 (19th highest)
COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 458.5 per 100,000 (6th highest)
Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 9.7% (8th lowest)

13. Arizona

Emergency department visits diagnosed as COVID-19 in past week: 1.9%
COVID-19 deaths in the past three months: 1.9 per 100,000 (8th highest)
COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 418.1 per 100,000 (13th highest)
Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 17.8% (6th highest)

12. Oregon

Emergency department visits diagnosed as COVID-19 in past week: 1.9%
COVID-19 deaths in the past three months: 1.6 per 100,000 (13th highest)
COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 235.3 per 100,000 (6th lowest)
Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 12.9% (25th lowest)

11. Washington

Emergency department visits diagnosed as COVID-19 in past week: 1.9%
COVID-19 deaths in the past three months: 1.2 per 100,000 (23rd lowest)
COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 206.9 per 100,000 (4th lowest)
Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 12.9% (25th lowest)

10. Virginia

Emergency department visits diagnosed as COVID-19 in past week: 1.9%
COVID-19 deaths in the past three months: 1.0 per 100,000 (16th lowest)
COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 289.7 per 100,000 (10th lowest)
Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 11.0% (13th lowest)

9. New Mexico

Emergency department visits diagnosed as COVID-19 in past week: 2.0%
COVID-19 deaths in the past three months: 2.0 per 100,000 (5th highest)
COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 462.2 per 100,000 (5th highest)
Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 23.4% (the highest)

8. South Carolina

Emergency department visits diagnosed as COVID-19 in past week: 2.0%
COVID-19 deaths in the past three months: 1.3 per 100,000 (22nd highest)
COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 423.0 per 100,000 (12th highest)
Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 9.7% (8th lowest)

7. California

Emergency department visits diagnosed as COVID-19 in past week: 2.1%
COVID-19 deaths in the past three months: 1.3 per 100,000 (20th highest)
COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 290.9 per 100,000 (12th lowest)
Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 17.8% (6th highest)

6. Mississippi

Emergency department visits diagnosed as COVID-19 in past week: 2.1%
COVID-19 deaths in the past three months: 2.6 per 100,000 (2nd highest)
COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 531.2 per 100,000 (the highest)
Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 9.7% (8th lowest)

5. Alaska

Emergency department visits diagnosed as COVID-19 in past week: 2.3%
COVID-19 deaths in the past three months: 0.7 per 100,000 (3rd lowest)
COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 217.2 per 100,000 (5th lowest)
Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 12.9% (25th lowest)

4. Louisiana

Emergency department visits diagnosed as COVID-19 in past week: 2.7%
COVID-19 deaths in the past three months: 0.7 per 100,000 (2nd lowest)
COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 399.5 per 100,000 (14th highest)
Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 23.4% (the highest)

3. Texas

Emergency department visits diagnosed as COVID-19 in past week: 3.1%
COVID-19 deaths in the past three months: 0.8 per 100,000 (5th lowest)
COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 351.2 per 100,000 (21st lowest)
Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 23.4% (the highest)

2. Hawaii

Emergency department visits diagnosed as COVID-19 in past week: 3.6%
COVID-19 deaths in the past three months: 4.6 per 100,000 (the highest)
COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 150.4 per 100,000 (the lowest)
Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 17.8% (6th highest)

1. Florida

Emergency department visits diagnosed as COVID-19 in past week: 3.9%
COVID-19 deaths in the past three months: 1.3 per 100,000 (24th highest)
COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 375.4 per 100,000 (24th highest)
Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 9.7% (8th lowest)