States Where COVID-19 Is the Worst Right Now

Published: February 18, 2024 by 24/7 Tempo Staff

It’s still winter in much of the U.S., and that means COVID-19 continues to thrive. Cold weather helps COVID spread for several reasons. People spend more time indoors, especially during holidays.

Low humidity makes virus droplets smaller and travel farther. Cold air also reduces the effectiveness of nasal cilia that protect against infection. And less sun exposure can lower vitamin D levels and weaken the immune response.

While climate plays a role, demographic and cultural factors also impact COVID rates, as we see when comparing different states.

To determine the states where the COVID-19 surge is the worst right now, 24/7 Tempo consulted data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on the number of new hospital admissions due to COVID-19 per 100,000 state residents for the week of Jan. 28-Feb. 3, 2024.

Montana and Wyoming have the lowest COVID hospitalization rates this week. They are also the two least densely populated states in the continental US, which likely helps. However, Wyoming’s rate went up slightly from 2.9 to 3.1 admissions per 100,000 people. Montana’s rate dropped from 4.9 to 3.0. So while low population density contributes, it does not fully explain the low rates.(Click here to see last week’s ranking of states where COVID-19 is the worst.)

Florida now leads the nation in COVID hospital admissions, with 8.9 per 100,000 residents. Its large senior population, who face higher risks, may contribute. However, Florida also has a historically low vaccination rate. Additionally, Florida’s surgeon general erroneously claimed COVID vaccines contain contaminants that damage DNA, calling for their cessation earlier this year. While demographics play a role, poor vaccination rates and misinformation likely exacerbate Florida’s high admission rates.

Here are the states where the COVID-19 surge is the worst:

50. Montana

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New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, Jan. 28-Feb. 3, 2024: 3.0 per 100,000 (34 total)
COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug. 1, 2020: 2,847.0 per 100,000 (3rd highest)
COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 357.1 per 100,000 (25th lowest)
Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 8.8% (16th lowest)

49. Wyoming

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New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, Jan. 28-Feb. 3, 2024: 3.1 per 100,000 (18 total)
COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug. 1, 2020: 2,079.5 per 100,000 (22nd highest)
COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 383.6 per 100,000 (19th highest)
Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 8.8% (16th lowest)

48. New Mexico

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New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, Jan. 28-Feb. 3, 2024: 3.3 per 100,000 (70 total)
COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug. 1, 2020: 1,929.2 per 100,000 (21st lowest)
COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 454.3 per 100,000 (5th highest)
Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 11.4% (11th highest)

47. Utah

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New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, Jan. 28-Feb. 3, 2024: 3.7 per 100,000 (125 total)
COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug. 1, 2020: 1,495.4 per 100,000 (8th lowest)
COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 168.8 per 100,000 (2nd lowest)
Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 8.8% (16th lowest)

46. Iowa

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New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, Jan. 28-Feb. 3, 2024: 4.0 per 100,000 (129 total)
COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug. 1, 2020: 1,845.4 per 100,000 (19th lowest)
COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 361.9 per 100,000 (25th highest)
Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 8.6% (4th lowest)

45. Kansas

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New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, Jan. 28-Feb. 3, 2024: 4.2 per 100,000 (124 total)
COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug. 1, 2020: 2,084.2 per 100,000 (21st highest)
COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 372.3 per 100,000 (23rd highest)
Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 8.6% (4th lowest)

44. Idaho

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New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, Jan. 28-Feb. 3, 2024: 4.2 per 100,000 (82 total)
COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug. 1, 2020: 1,562.8 per 100,000 (12th lowest)
COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 293.2 per 100,000 (13th lowest)
Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 9.8% (16th highest)

43. Colorado

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New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, Jan. 28-Feb. 3, 2024: 4.3 per 100,000 (252 total)
COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug. 1, 2020: 1,803.0 per 100,000 (18th lowest)
COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 265.8 per 100,000 (9th lowest)
Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 8.8% (16th lowest)

42. North Dakota

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New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, Jan. 28-Feb. 3, 2024: 4.4 per 100,000 (34 total)
COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug. 1, 2020: 2,093.7 per 100,000 (20th highest)
COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 348.3 per 100,000 (22nd lowest)
Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 8.8% (16th lowest)

41. Maine

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New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, Jan. 28-Feb. 3, 2024: 4.4 per 100,000 (61 total)
COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug. 1, 2020: 1,206.4 per 100,000 (4th lowest)
COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 254.5 per 100,000 (8th lowest)
Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 8.7% (10th lowest)

40. Washington

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New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, Jan. 28-Feb. 3, 2024: 4.6 per 100,000 (356 total)
COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug. 1, 2020: 1,072.7 per 100,000 (the lowest)
COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 202.0 per 100,000 (4th lowest)
Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 9.8% (16th highest)

39. Oregon

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New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, Jan. 28-Feb. 3, 2024: 4.6 per 100,000 (195 total)
COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug. 1, 2020: 1,205.4 per 100,000 (3rd lowest)
COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 229.6 per 100,000 (6th lowest)
Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 9.8% (16th highest)

38. Nevada

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New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, Jan. 28-Feb. 3, 2024: 4.7 per 100,000 (148 total)
COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug. 1, 2020: 2,130.2 per 100,000 (17th highest)
COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 383.9 per 100,000 (18th highest)
Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 9.5% (25th lowest)

37. Minnesota

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New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, Jan. 28-Feb. 3, 2024: 4.7 per 100,000 (269 total)
COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug. 1, 2020: 1,510.2 per 100,000 (10th lowest)
COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 284.9 per 100,000 (11th lowest)
Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 9.6% (20th highest)

36. Mississippi

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New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, Jan. 28-Feb. 3, 2024: 4.8 per 100,000 (141 total)
COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug. 1, 2020: 1,987.3 per 100,000 (25th lowest)
COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 520.4 per 100,000 (the highest)
Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 11.6% (3rd highest)

35. Indiana

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New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, Jan. 28-Feb. 3, 2024: 4.9 per 100,000 (332 total)
COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug. 1, 2020: 2,185.7 per 100,000 (15th highest)
COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 393.6 per 100,000 (14th highest)
Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 9.6% (20th highest)

34. Tennessee

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New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, Jan. 28-Feb. 3, 2024: 4.9 per 100,000 (348 total)
COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug. 1, 2020: 1,969.0 per 100,000 (23rd lowest)
COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 419.9 per 100,000 (11th highest)
Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 11.6% (3rd highest)

33. Delaware

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New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, Jan. 28-Feb. 3, 2024: 5.0 per 100,000 (51 total)
COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug. 1, 2020: 2,112.6 per 100,000 (18th highest)
COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 353.4 per 100,000 (24th lowest)
Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 9.4% (21st lowest)

32. Illinois

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New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, Jan. 28-Feb. 3, 2024: 5.1 per 100,000 (647 total)
COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug. 1, 2020: 1,980.8 per 100,000 (24th lowest)
COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 330.9 per 100,000 (19th lowest)
Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 9.6% (20th highest)

31. Arizona

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New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, Jan. 28-Feb. 3, 2024: 5.2 per 100,000 (383 total)
COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug. 1, 2020: 2,215.6 per 100,000 (13th highest)
COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 413.2 per 100,000 (13th highest)
Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 9.5% (25th lowest)

30. Maryland

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New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, Jan. 28-Feb. 3, 2024: 5.3 per 100,000 (324 total)
COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug. 1, 2020: 1,682.0 per 100,000 (14th lowest)
COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 306.6 per 100,000 (16th lowest)
Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 9.4% (21st lowest)

29. New Hampshire

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New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, Jan. 28-Feb. 3, 2024: 5.4 per 100,000 (76 total)
COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug. 1, 2020: 1,440.6 per 100,000 (7th lowest)
COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 248.7 per 100,000 (7th lowest)
Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 8.7% (10th lowest)

28. Wisconsin

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New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, Jan. 28-Feb. 3, 2024: 5.5 per 100,000 (323 total)
COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug. 1, 2020: 2,302.7 per 100,000 (10th highest)
COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 301.7 per 100,000 (14th lowest)
Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 9.6% (20th highest)

27. Ohio

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New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, Jan. 28-Feb. 3, 2024: 5.6 per 100,000 (655 total)
COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug. 1, 2020: 2,385.4 per 100,000 (7th highest)
COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 436.7 per 100,000 (7th highest)
Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 9.6% (20th highest)

26. Rhode Island

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New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, Jan. 28-Feb. 3, 2024: 5.7 per 100,000 (62 total)
COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug. 1, 2020: 1,335.5 per 100,000 (5th lowest)
COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 374.7 per 100,000 (21st highest)
Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 8.7% (10th lowest)

25. California

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New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, Jan. 28-Feb. 3, 2024: 5.8 per 100,000 (2,281 total)
COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug. 1, 2020: 1,694.3 per 100,000 (16th lowest)
COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 286.7 per 100,000 (12th lowest)
Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 9.5% (25th lowest)

24. Nebraska

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New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, Jan. 28-Feb. 3, 2024: 5.9 per 100,000 (117 total)
COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug. 1, 2020: 1,753.1 per 100,000 (17th lowest)
COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 304.1 per 100,000 (15th lowest)
Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 8.6% (4th lowest)

23. Oklahoma

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New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, Jan. 28-Feb. 3, 2024: 6.0 per 100,000 (240 total)
COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug. 1, 2020: 2,870.0 per 100,000 (2nd highest)
COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 501.0 per 100,000 (3rd highest)
Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 11.4% (11th highest)

22. Kentucky

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New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, Jan. 28-Feb. 3, 2024: 6.0 per 100,000 (271 total)
COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug. 1, 2020: 3,623.3 per 100,000 (the highest)
COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 462.7 per 100,000 (4th highest)
Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 11.6% (3rd highest)

21. Arkansas

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New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, Jan. 28-Feb. 3, 2024: 6.0 per 100,000 (183 total)
COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug. 1, 2020: 2,356.7 per 100,000 (8th highest)
COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 424.0 per 100,000 (9th highest)
Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 11.4% (11th highest)

20. Pennsylvania

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New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, Jan. 28-Feb. 3, 2024: 6.2 per 100,000 (802 total)
COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug. 1, 2020: 2,042.4 per 100,000 (24th highest)
COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 421.0 per 100,000 (10th highest)
Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 9.4% (21st lowest)

19. Michigan

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New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, Jan. 28-Feb. 3, 2024: 6.3 per 100,000 (629 total)
COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug. 1, 2020: 2,075.6 per 100,000 (23rd highest)
COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 389.2 per 100,000 (17th highest)
Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 9.6% (20th highest)

18. North Carolina

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New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, Jan. 28-Feb. 3, 2024: 6.3 per 100,000 (671 total)
COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug. 1, 2020: 1,685.3 per 100,000 (15th lowest)
COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 329.0 per 100,000 (18th lowest)
Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 11.6% (3rd highest)

17. Vermont

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New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, Jan. 28-Feb. 3, 2024: 6.3 per 100,000 (41 total)
COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug. 1, 2020: 1,108.9 per 100,000 (2nd lowest)
COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 174.5 per 100,000 (3rd lowest)
Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 8.7% (10th lowest)

16. Missouri

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New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, Jan. 28-Feb. 3, 2024: 6.4 per 100,000 (395 total)
COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug. 1, 2020: 2,288.1 per 100,000 (12th highest)
COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 376.8 per 100,000 (20th highest)
Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 8.6% (4th lowest)

15. Hawaii

Source: Daniel Ramirez from Honolulu, USA / Wikimedia Commons

New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, Jan. 28-Feb. 3, 2024: 6.5 per 100,000 (93 total)
COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug. 1, 2020: 1,498.3 per 100,000 (9th lowest)
COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 142.9 per 100,000 (the lowest)
Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 9.5% (25th lowest)

14. Texas

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New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, Jan. 28-Feb. 3, 2024: 6.5 per 100,000 (1,962 total)
COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug. 1, 2020: 2,131.4 per 100,000 (16th highest)
COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 346.7 per 100,000 (21st lowest)
Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 11.4% (11th highest)

13. Alaska

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New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, Jan. 28-Feb. 3, 2024: 6.5 per 100,000 (48 total)
COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug. 1, 2020: 1,407.3 per 100,000 (6th lowest)
COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 212.1 per 100,000 (5th lowest)
Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 9.8% (16th highest)

12. Alabama

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New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, Jan. 28-Feb. 3, 2024: 6.7 per 100,000 (338 total)
COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug. 1, 2020: 2,481.3 per 100,000 (6th highest)
COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 451.7 per 100,000 (6th highest)
Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 11.6% (3rd highest)

11. Louisiana

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New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, Jan. 28-Feb. 3, 2024: 6.7 per 100,000 (306 total)
COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug. 1, 2020: 2,197.8 per 100,000 (14th highest)
COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 393.2 per 100,000 (15th highest)
Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 11.4% (11th highest)

10. West Virginia

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New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, Jan. 28-Feb. 3, 2024: 6.7 per 100,000 (119 total)
COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug. 1, 2020: 2,638.0 per 100,000 (5th highest)
COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 506.9 per 100,000 (2nd highest)
Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 9.4% (21st lowest)

9. Virginia

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New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, Jan. 28-Feb. 3, 2024: 6.8 per 100,000 (588 total)
COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug. 1, 2020: 1,540.4 per 100,000 (11th lowest)
COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 283.4 per 100,000 (10th lowest)
Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 9.4% (21st lowest)

8. Georgia

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New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, Jan. 28-Feb. 3, 2024: 6.8 per 100,000 (740 total)
COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug. 1, 2020: 2,302.5 per 100,000 (11th highest)
COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 339.3 per 100,000 (20th lowest)
Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 11.6% (3rd highest)

7. Connecticut

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New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, Jan. 28-Feb. 3, 2024: 7.3 per 100,000 (264 total)
COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug. 1, 2020: 1,958.5 per 100,000 (22nd lowest)
COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 351.1 per 100,000 (23rd lowest)
Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 8.7% (10th lowest)

6. South Carolina

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New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, Jan. 28-Feb. 3, 2024: 7.4 per 100,000 (392 total)
COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug. 1, 2020: 1,924.2 per 100,000 (20th lowest)
COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 414.3 per 100,000 (12th highest)
Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 11.6% (3rd highest)

5. Massachusetts

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New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, Jan. 28-Feb. 3, 2024: 7.6 per 100,000 (534 total)
COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug. 1, 2020: 1,670.0 per 100,000 (13th lowest)
COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 312.3 per 100,000 (17th lowest)
Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 8.7% (10th lowest)

4. New York

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New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, Jan. 28-Feb. 3, 2024: 7.9 per 100,000 (1,555 total)
COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug. 1, 2020: 2,097.2 per 100,000 (19th highest)
COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 424.6 per 100,000 (8th highest)
Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 15.6% (the highest)

3. South Dakota

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New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, Jan. 28-Feb. 3, 2024: 7.9 per 100,000 (72 total)
COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug. 1, 2020: 2,310.0 per 100,000 (9th highest)
COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 372.6 per 100,000 (22nd highest)
Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 8.8% (16th lowest)

2. New Jersey

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New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, Jan. 28-Feb. 3, 2024: 8.2 per 100,000 (763 total)
COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug. 1, 2020: 2,029.9 per 100,000 (25th highest)
COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 391.9 per 100,000 (16th highest)
Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 15.6% (the highest)

1. Florida

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New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, Jan. 28-Feb. 3, 2024: 8.7 per 100,000 (1,927 total)
COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug. 1, 2020: 2,693.2 per 100,000 (4th highest)
COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 369.3 per 100,000 (24th highest)
Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 11.6% (3rd highest)