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States Where COVID-19 Is Bad Right Now

States Where COVID-19 Is Bad Right Now

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With masks shed and social distancing a distant memory, it’s tempting to think COVID-19 poses little threat nowadays. But while the virus struggles to find susceptible hosts among broader immunity, it still lurks ready to prey on the vulnerable.

Antiviral supplies once scarce now overflow store shelves. Free home-tests and vaccines provide greater access than ever. Relaxed attitudes signify progress made, not victory secured. The elderly and immunocompromised remain prime targets as the virus inevitably mutates.

Indeed, there’s reason to be optimistic. So many people have had the virus by now and/or have been vaccinated against it that even in its latest, ever-evolving state it’s having a hard time finding vulnerable hosts. But it still finds them, especially among the elderly and immunocompromised.

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 Feb. 11-Feb. 17, 2024. (Click here to compare this week’s numbers with last week’s.)

At the high end, there’s good news for New York, which had the most admissions of any state last week, at 8.5 per 100,000 residents, but is now No. 9 with 6.6 admissions. The state where the COVID-19 surge is the worst right now, on the other hand, is Alabama, which leapt from 17th place last week with 6.7 admissions to No. 1 this week with 8.5.

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

50. Idaho

Source: PeskyMonkey / iStock via Getty Images
  • New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, Feb 11-Feb. 17, 2024: 2.7 per 100,000 (53 total)
  • COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug. 1, 2020: 1,569.1 per 100,000 (12th lowest)
  • COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 294.4 per 100,000 (13th lowest)
  • Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 8.3% (20th highest)

49. Utah

Source: RichVintage / E+ via Getty Images
  • New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, Feb 11-Feb. 17, 2024: 3.0 per 100,000 (100 total)
  • COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug. 1, 2020: 1,501.8 per 100,000 (8th lowest)
  • COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 169.2 per 100,000 (2nd lowest)
  • Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 6.4% (15th lowest)

48. Iowa

Source: alan-light / Flickr
  • New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, Feb 11-Feb. 17, 2024: 3.0 per 100,000 (96 total)
  • COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug. 1, 2020: 1,852.4 per 100,000 (19th lowest)
  • COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 363.0 per 100,000 (25th highest)
  • Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 8.2% (24th highest)

47. New Mexico

Source: Sharon Chischilly / Getty Images News via Getty Images
  • New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, Feb 11-Feb. 17, 2024: 3.3 per 100,000 (69 total)
  • COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug. 1, 2020: 1,935.7 per 100,000 (20th lowest)
  • COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 455.3 per 100,000 (5th highest)
  • Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 8.6% (9th highest)

46. Wyoming

Source: Melissa Kopka / iStock via Getty Images
  • New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, Feb 11-Feb. 17, 2024: 3.3 per 100,000 (19 total)
  • COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug. 1, 2020: 2,086.4 per 100,000 (23rd highest)
  • COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 384.9 per 100,000 (18th highest)
  • Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 6.4% (15th lowest)

45. Nevada

Source: mobili / Flickr
  • New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, Feb 11-Feb. 17, 2024: 3.6 per 100,000 (113 total)
  • COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug. 1, 2020: 2,139.0 per 100,000 (17th highest)
  • COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 384.8 per 100,000 (19th highest)
  • Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 6.3% (9th lowest)

44. Montana

Source: Al Knauber / iStock Editorial via Getty Images
  • New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, Feb 11-Feb. 17, 2024: 3.6 per 100,000 (40 total)
  • COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug. 1, 2020: 2,854.9 per 100,000 (3rd highest)
  • COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 357.8 per 100,000 (25th lowest)
  • Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 6.4% (15th lowest)

43. Washington

Source: RyanJLane / E+ via Getty Images
  • New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, Feb 11-Feb. 17, 2024: 3.6 per 100,000 (282 total)
  • COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug. 1, 2020: 1,080.6 per 100,000 (the lowest)
  • COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 202.7 per 100,000 (4th lowest)
  • Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 8.3% (20th highest)

42. Maine

Source: pavdw / Flickr
  • New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, Feb 11-Feb. 17, 2024: 3.7 per 100,000 (51 total)
  • COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug. 1, 2020: 1,214.6 per 100,000 (4th lowest)
  • COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 255.8 per 100,000 (8th lowest)
  • Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 7.4% (21st lowest)

41. Colorado

Source: mobili / Flickr
  • New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, Feb 11-Feb. 17, 2024: 3.8 per 100,000 (223 total)
  • COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug. 1, 2020: 1,810.6 per 100,000 (18th lowest)
  • COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 266.3 per 100,000 (9th lowest)
  • Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 6.4% (15th lowest)

40. Oregon

Source: icetsarina / Flickr / Public Domain
  • New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, Feb 11-Feb. 17, 2024: 3.9 per 100,000 (165 total)
  • COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug. 1, 2020: 1,213.1 per 100,000 (3rd lowest)
  • COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 230.3 per 100,000 (6th lowest)
  • Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 8.3% (20th highest)

39. Vermont

Source: vermontalm / iStock via Getty Images
  • New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, Feb 11-Feb. 17, 2024: 4.0 per 100,000 (26 total)
  • COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug. 1, 2020: 1,117.5 per 100,000 (2nd lowest)
  • COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 176.0 per 100,000 (3rd lowest)
  • Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 7.4% (21st lowest)

38. Arizona

Source: grandriver / E+ via Getty Images
  • New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, Feb 11-Feb. 17, 2024: 4.0 per 100,000 (298 total)
  • COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug. 1, 2020: 2,224.5 per 100,000 (13th highest)
  • COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 413.9 per 100,000 (13th highest)
  • Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 6.3% (9th lowest)

37. Kansas

Source: Brian Davidson / Getty Images Sport via Getty Images
  • New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, Feb 11-Feb. 17, 2024: 4.1 per 100,000 (121 total)
  • COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug. 1, 2020: 2,092.4 per 100,000 (21st highest)
  • COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 373.2 per 100,000 (23rd highest)
  • Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 8.2% (24th highest)

36. Rhode Island

Source: Maddie Meyer / Getty Images News via Getty Images
  • New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, Feb 11-Feb. 17, 2024: 4.2 per 100,000 (46 total)
  • COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug. 1, 2020: 1,345.6 per 100,000 (5th lowest)
  • COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 375.9 per 100,000 (21st highest)
  • Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 7.4% (21st lowest)

35. Minnesota

Source: Alex Lupu / iStock via Getty Images
  • New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, Feb 11-Feb. 17, 2024: 4.3 per 100,000 (243 total)
  • COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug. 1, 2020: 1,518.3 per 100,000 (10th lowest)
  • COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 286.1 per 100,000 (11th lowest)
  • Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 8.5% (14th highest)

34. Indiana

Source: usdagov / Flickr
  • New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, Feb 11-Feb. 17, 2024: 4.4 per 100,000 (298 total)
  • COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug. 1, 2020: 2,194.7 per 100,000 (15th highest)
  • COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 394.8 per 100,000 (14th highest)
  • Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 8.5% (14th highest)

33. Nebraska

Source: offutt_afb / Flickr
  • New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, Feb 11-Feb. 17, 2024: 4.4 per 100,000 (87 total)
  • COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug. 1, 2020: 1,764.2 per 100,000 (17th lowest)
  • COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 304.8 per 100,000 (15th lowest)
  • Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 8.2% (24th highest)

32. Maryland

Source: Grandbrothers / iStock via Getty Images
  • New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, Feb 11-Feb. 17, 2024: 4.5 per 100,000 (276 total)
  • COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug. 1, 2020: 1,691.3 per 100,000 (14th lowest)
  • COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 307.5 per 100,000 (16th lowest)
  • Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 5.5% (5th lowest)

31. Mississippi

Source: thenationalguard / Flickr
  • New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, Feb 11-Feb. 17, 2024: 4.6 per 100,000 (136 total)
  • COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug. 1, 2020: 1,997.6 per 100,000 (25th lowest)
  • COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 521.9 per 100,000 (the highest)
  • Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 10.8% (the highest)

30. California

Source: photographingtravis / Flickr
  • New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, Feb 11-Feb. 17, 2024: 4.8 per 100,000 (1,882 total)
  • COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug. 1, 2020: 1,704.3 per 100,000 (16th lowest)
  • COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 287.4 per 100,000 (12th lowest)
  • Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 6.3% (9th lowest)

29. Ohio

Source: PapaBear / iStock Editorial via Getty Images
  • New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, Feb 11-Feb. 17, 2024: 4.8 per 100,000 (570 total)
  • COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug. 1, 2020: 2,395.5 per 100,000 (7th highest)
  • COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 437.9 per 100,000 (7th highest)
  • Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 8.5% (14th highest)

28. New Hampshire

Source: thenationalguard / Flickr
  • New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, Feb 11-Feb. 17, 2024: 4.9 per 100,000 (68 total)
  • COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug. 1, 2020: 1,451.0 per 100,000 (7th lowest)
  • COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 249.6 per 100,000 (7th lowest)
  • Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 7.4% (21st lowest)

27. Alaska

Source: ajr_images / iStock via Getty Images
  • New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, Feb 11-Feb. 17, 2024: 4.9 per 100,000 (36 total)
  • COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug. 1, 2020: 1,420.2 per 100,000 (6th lowest)
  • COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 212.9 per 100,000 (5th lowest)
  • Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 8.3% (20th highest)

26. North Dakota

Source: criminalintent / Flickr
  • New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, Feb 11-Feb. 17, 2024: 5.0 per 100,000 (39 total)
  • COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug. 1, 2020: 2,104.4 per 100,000 (20th highest)
  • COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 348.9 per 100,000 (22nd lowest)
  • Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 6.4% (15th lowest)

25. Wisconsin

Source: Ben Mayer / iStock via Getty Images
  • New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, Feb 11-Feb. 17, 2024: 5.2 per 100,000 (306 total)
  • COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug. 1, 2020: 2,314.1 per 100,000 (11th highest)
  • COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 302.7 per 100,000 (14th lowest)
  • Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 8.5% (14th highest)

24. Michigan

Source: dgaken / Flickr
  • New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, Feb 11-Feb. 17, 2024: 5.4 per 100,000 (540 total)
  • COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug. 1, 2020: 2,086.8 per 100,000 (22nd highest)
  • COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 390.0 per 100,000 (17th highest)
  • Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 8.5% (14th highest)

23. Massachusetts

Source: Alexander Farnsworth / iStock via Getty Images
  • New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, Feb 11-Feb. 17, 2024: 5.6 per 100,000 (389 total)
  • COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug. 1, 2020: 1,682.5 per 100,000 (13th lowest)
  • COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 313.5 per 100,000 (17th lowest)
  • Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 7.4% (21st lowest)

22. West Virginia

Source: adamkaz / E+ via Getty Images
  • New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, Feb 11-Feb. 17, 2024: 5.6 per 100,000 (100 total)
  • COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug. 1, 2020: 2,649.3 per 100,000 (5th highest)
  • COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 507.9 per 100,000 (2nd highest)
  • Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 5.5% (5th lowest)

21. Arkansas

Source: BorderaS / E+ via Getty Images
  • New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, Feb 11-Feb. 17, 2024: 5.6 per 100,000 (172 total)
  • COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug. 1, 2020: 2,368.8 per 100,000 (8th highest)
  • COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 425.6 per 100,000 (9th highest)
  • Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 8.6% (9th highest)

20. Illinois

Source: usnavy / Flickr
  • New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, Feb 11-Feb. 17, 2024: 5.7 per 100,000 (719 total)
  • COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug. 1, 2020: 1,992.3 per 100,000 (24th lowest)
  • COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 331.7 per 100,000 (19th lowest)
  • Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 8.5% (14th highest)

19. Tennessee

Source: Nicholas Nace / iStock Editorial via Getty Images
  • New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, Feb 11-Feb. 17, 2024: 5.7 per 100,000 (405 total)
  • COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug. 1, 2020: 1,979.6 per 100,000 (23rd lowest)
  • COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 421.1 per 100,000 (11th highest)
  • Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 10.8% (the highest)

18. Missouri

Source: Lana2011 / iStock via Getty Images
  • New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, Feb 11-Feb. 17, 2024: 5.8 per 100,000 (360 total)
  • COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug. 1, 2020: 2,300.7 per 100,000 (12th highest)
  • COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 377.6 per 100,000 (20th highest)
  • Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 8.2% (24th highest)

17. Texas

Source: BorderaS / E+ via Getty Images
  • New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, Feb 11-Feb. 17, 2024: 5.8 per 100,000 (1,756 total)
  • COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug. 1, 2020: 2,143.6 per 100,000 (16th highest)
  • COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 347.7 per 100,000 (21st lowest)
  • Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 8.6% (9th highest)

16. Pennsylvania

Source: governortomwolf / Flickr
  • New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, Feb 11-Feb. 17, 2024: 5.9 per 100,000 (763 total)
  • COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug. 1, 2020: 2,054.2 per 100,000 (24th highest)
  • COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 421.9 per 100,000 (10th highest)
  • Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 5.5% (5th lowest)

15. Oklahoma

Source: thenationalguard / Flickr
  • New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, Feb 11-Feb. 17, 2024: 5.9 per 100,000 (237 total)
  • COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug. 1, 2020: 2,882.7 per 100,000 (2nd highest)
  • COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 502.9 per 100,000 (3rd highest)
  • Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 8.6% (9th highest)

14. Delaware

Source: thenationalguard / Flickr
  • New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, Feb 11-Feb. 17, 2024: 6.2 per 100,000 (63 total)
  • COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug. 1, 2020: 2,126.1 per 100,000 (18th highest)
  • COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 355.9 per 100,000 (24th lowest)
  • Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 5.5% (5th lowest)

13. New Jersey

Source: eyecrave productions / E+ via Getty Images
  • New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, Feb 11-Feb. 17, 2024: 6.3 per 100,000 (585 total)
  • COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug. 1, 2020: 2,043.4 per 100,000 (25th highest)
  • COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 393.1 per 100,000 (16th highest)
  • Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 7.7% (23rd lowest)

12. Kentucky

Source: Jason Whitman / iStock Editorial via Getty Images
  • New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, Feb 11-Feb. 17, 2024: 6.3 per 100,000 (286 total)
  • COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug. 1, 2020: 3,635.5 per 100,000 (the highest)
  • COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 464.7 per 100,000 (4th highest)
  • Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 10.8% (the highest)

11. South Dakota

Source: Saturated / iStock via Getty Images
  • New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, Feb 11-Feb. 17, 2024: 6.4 per 100,000 (58 total)
  • COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug. 1, 2020: 2,323.3 per 100,000 (9th highest)
  • COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 373.4 per 100,000 (22nd highest)
  • Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 6.4% (15th lowest)

10. Connecticut

Source: JasonOndreicka / iStock via Getty Images
  • New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, Feb 11-Feb. 17, 2024: 6.4 per 100,000 (233 total)
  • COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug. 1, 2020: 1,971.8 per 100,000 (22nd lowest)
  • COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 352.7 per 100,000 (23rd lowest)
  • Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 7.4% (21st lowest)

9. New York

Source: Brianna Mancini / iStock Editorial via Getty Images
  • New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, Feb 11-Feb. 17, 2024: 6.6 per 100,000 (1,303 total)
  • COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug. 1, 2020: 2,115.9 per 100,000 (19th highest)
  • COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 425.6 per 100,000 (8th highest)
  • Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 7.7% (23rd lowest)

8. North Carolina

Source: usnavy / Flickr
  • New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, Feb 11-Feb. 17, 2024: 6.6 per 100,000 (711 total)
  • COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug. 1, 2020: 1,698.4 per 100,000 (15th lowest)
  • COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 330.4 per 100,000 (18th lowest)
  • Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 10.8% (the highest)

7. Virginia

Source: krblokhin / iStock via Getty Images
  • New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, Feb 11-Feb. 17, 2024: 6.9 per 100,000 (595 total)
  • COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug. 1, 2020: 1,553.8 per 100,000 (11th lowest)
  • COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 284.6 per 100,000 (10th lowest)
  • Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 5.5% (5th lowest)

6. Hawaii

Source: Daniel Ramirez from Honolulu, USA / Wikimedia Commons
  • New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, Feb 11-Feb. 17, 2024: 7.1 per 100,000 (102 total)
  • COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug. 1, 2020: 1,512.4 per 100,000 (9th lowest)
  • COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 143.6 per 100,000 (the lowest)
  • Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 6.3% (9th lowest)

5. Louisiana

Source: Mario Tama / Getty Images News via Getty Images
  • New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, Feb 11-Feb. 17, 2024: 7.2 per 100,000 (330 total)
  • COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug. 1, 2020: 2,213.1 per 100,000 (14th highest)
  • COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 394.2 per 100,000 (15th highest)
  • Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 8.6% (9th highest)

4. Florida

Source: THEPALMER / E+ via Getty Images
  • New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, Feb 11-Feb. 17, 2024: 7.6 per 100,000 (1,697 total)
  • COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug. 1, 2020: 2,709.7 per 100,000 (4th highest)
  • COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 370.5 per 100,000 (24th highest)
  • Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 10.8% (the highest)

3. South Carolina

Source: Sean Rayford / Getty Images News via Getty Images
  • New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, Feb 11-Feb. 17, 2024: 7.7 per 100,000 (409 total)
  • COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug. 1, 2020: 1,940.1 per 100,000 (21st lowest)
  • COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 416.1 per 100,000 (12th highest)
  • Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 10.8% (the highest)

2. Georgia

Source: JENNIFER E. WOLF / iStock Editorial via Getty Images
  • New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, Feb 11-Feb. 17, 2024: 7.9 per 100,000 (863 total)
  • COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug. 1, 2020: 2,318.9 per 100,000 (10th highest)
  • COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 340.3 per 100,000 (20th lowest)
  • Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 10.8% (the highest)

1. Alabama

Source: Jacqueline Nix / iStock Editorial via Getty Images
  • New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, Feb 11-Feb. 17, 2024: 8.5 per 100,000 (431 total)
  • COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug. 1, 2020: 2,496.3 per 100,000 (6th highest)
  • COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 452.9 per 100,000 (6th highest)
  • Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 10.8% (the highest)
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