States Where COVID-19 Is the Worst Right Now

Published: January 17, 2024 by John Harrington

Winter is asserting itself in January, as temperatures plunged all over the nation, and the first snows of the season blanked the country, forcing people inside and turbocharging transmission of COVID-19. Admissions rose to the highest level in almost a year for the week ending Jan. 6, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Test positivity was unchanged.

To determine the states where the COVID-19 surge 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 Dec. 31, 2023-Jan. 6, 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 Dec. 31, 2023-Jan. 6, 2024 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.

The seven-day moving average of hospital admissions across the country rose 3.2% to 35,801 for the reporting period ending Jan. 6 from the previous week, the highest weekly total since Jan. 7. Admissions for that weekly period in 2023 were about 10,000 higher. Admissions increases are following the same pattern as a year ago. Test positivity was 12.7%, little changed from a week prior.

The northeastern states of New York and New Jersey were among the nation’s leaders in hospital admissions and test positivity. New York and New Jersey were second and third, respectively, in hospital admissions. (West Virginia led the country for the eighth straight week at 19.8 per 100,000 state residents for the week.) New York and New Jersey led the U.S. in test positivity at 15.8.

Alaska, which had shared the lowest hospital admissions rate with Washington in the prior period, had the nation’s lowest rate.

After New York and New Jersey, six New England states had the next-highest test-positivity rate at 15.5.
The states with the lowest test positivity were in the West. Hawaii, Nevada, California, and Arizona had the lowest test positivity at 8.3.
The JN.1 variant of COVID-19 continued to account for up to nearly 68% of COVID cases in the U.S., according to the CDC. Health officials say this variant is no more virulent than previous COVID strains.

Deaths due to COVID-19 rose 14.3% from the prior week and accounted for 4.0% of all fatalities in the United States for the Dec. 31-Jan. 6 period, according to CDC data. There have been 1,167,210 total deaths from the pandemic in the U.S. since the onset of the coronavirus in early 2020. (Click here for 30 famous people who died from COVID.)

Here is a list of how bad COVID-19 is in every state:

50. Alaska

Source: ajr_images / iStock via Getty Images

New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, Dec. 31, 2023-Jan. 6, 2024: 4.0 per 100,000 (29 total)
COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug. 1, 2020: 1,383.6 per 100,000 (6th lowest)
COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 211.6 per 100,000 (5th lowest)
Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 10.0% (24th highest)

49. New Mexico

Source: JannHuizenga / iStock via Getty Images

New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, Dec. 31, 2023-Jan. 6, 2024: 5.3 per 100,000 (111 total)
COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug. 1, 2020: 1,917.8 per 100,000 (21st lowest)
COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 451.4 per 100,000 (5th highest)
Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 10.0% (24th highest)

48. Washington

Source: RyanJLane / E+ via Getty Images

New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, Dec. 31, 2023-Jan. 6, 2024: 5.6 per 100,000 (435 total)
COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug. 1, 2020: 1,053.8 per 100,000 (the lowest)
COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 200.0 per 100,000 (4th lowest)
Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 10.0% (24th highest)

47. Oregon

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New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, Dec. 31, 2023-Jan. 6, 2024: 7.3 per 100,000 (308 total)
COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug. 1, 2020: 1,185.5 per 100,000 (4th lowest)
COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 227.9 per 100,000 (6th lowest)
Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 10.0% (24th highest)

46. Wyoming

Source: Melissa Kopka / iStock via Getty Images

New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, Dec. 31, 2023-Jan. 6, 2024: 7.4 per 100,000 (43 total)
COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug. 1, 2020: 2,064.2 per 100,000 (20th highest)
COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 379.8 per 100,000 (19th highest)
Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 9.7% (18th lowest)

45. Hawaii

Source: Eric Broder Van Dyke / iStock Editorial via Getty Images

New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, Dec. 31, 2023-Jan. 6, 2024: 7.5 per 100,000 (108 total)
COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug. 1, 2020: 1,468.6 per 100,000 (8th lowest)
COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 141.9 per 100,000 (the lowest)
Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 8.3% (4th lowest)

44. Utah

Source: RichVintage / E+ via Getty Images

New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, Dec. 31, 2023-Jan. 6, 2024: 7.5 per 100,000 (254 total)
COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug. 1, 2020: 1,477.0 per 100,000 (9th lowest)
COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 167.6 per 100,000 (2nd lowest)
Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 9.7% (18th lowest)

43. Nevada

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New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, Dec. 31, 2023-Jan. 6, 2024: 7.5 per 100,000 (239 total)
COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug. 1, 2020: 2,107.9 per 100,000 (16th highest)
COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 381.2 per 100,000 (18th highest)
Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 8.3% (4th lowest)

42. North Dakota

North Dakota National Guard by The National Guard

Source: thenationalguard / Flickr

North Dakota National Guard (CC BY 2.0) by The National Guard

New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, Dec. 31, 2023-Jan. 6, 2024: 7.7 per 100,000 (60 total)
COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug. 1, 2020: 2,067.9 per 100,000 (19th highest)
COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 346.5 per 100,000 (22nd lowest)
Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 9.7% (18th lowest)

41. Mississippi

Mississippi National Guard by The National Guard

Source: thenationalguard / Flickr

Mississippi National Guard (CC BY 2.0) by The National Guard

New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, Dec. 31, 2023-Jan. 6, 2024: 7.8 per 100,000 (228 total)
COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug. 1, 2020: 1,965.5 per 100,000 (25th lowest)
COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 516.0 per 100,000 (the highest)
Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 9.5% (12th lowest)

40. North Carolina

Marines volunteer at a food dr... by Official U.S. Navy Page

Source: usnavy / Flickr

Marines volunteer at a food dr… (CC BY 2.0) by Official U.S. Navy Page

New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, Dec. 31, 2023-Jan. 6, 2024: 7.9 per 100,000 (847 total)
COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug. 1, 2020: 1,658.1 per 100,000 (15th lowest)
COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 325.5 per 100,000 (18th lowest)
Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 9.5% (12th lowest)

39. Colorado

Source: mobili / Flickr

Colorado COVID-19 (CC BY-SA 2.0) by Mobilus In Mobili

New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, Dec. 31, 2023-Jan. 6, 2024: 7.9 per 100,000 (463 total)
COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug. 1, 2020: 1,780.6 per 100,000 (18th lowest)
COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 263.9 per 100,000 (9th lowest)
Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 9.7% (18th lowest)

38. Texas

Source: Richard McMillin / iStock Editorial via Getty Images

New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, Dec. 31, 2023-Jan. 6, 2024: 8.3 per 100,000 (2,482 total)
COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug. 1, 2020: 2,106.6 per 100,000 (17th highest)
COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 345.3 per 100,000 (21st lowest)
Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 10.0% (24th highest)

37. Arizona

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New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, Dec. 31, 2023-Jan. 6, 2024: 8.4 per 100,000 (619 total)
COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug. 1, 2020: 2,190.2 per 100,000 (13th highest)
COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 410.7 per 100,000 (13th highest)
Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 8.3% (4th lowest)

36. Louisiana

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New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, Dec. 31, 2023-Jan. 6, 2024: 9.0 per 100,000 (415 total)
COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug. 1, 2020: 2,168.0 per 100,000 (14th highest)
COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 390.8 per 100,000 (14th highest)
Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 10.0% (24th highest)

35. Florida

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New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, Dec. 31, 2023-Jan. 6, 2024: 9.3 per 100,000 (2,076 total)
COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug. 1, 2020: 2,656.9 per 100,000 (4th highest)
COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 367.0 per 100,000 (24th highest)
Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 9.5% (12th lowest)

34. Minnesota

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New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, Dec. 31, 2023-Jan. 6, 2024: 9.5 per 100,000 (544 total)
COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug. 1, 2020: 1,485.9 per 100,000 (10th lowest)
COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 282.0 per 100,000 (11th lowest)
Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 14.2% (13th highest)

33. California

Source: photographingtravis / Flickr

COVID Signage (CC BY 2.0) by Travis Wise

New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, Dec. 31, 2023-Jan. 6, 2024: 9.5 per 100,000 (3,716 total)
COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug. 1, 2020: 1,665.3 per 100,000 (16th lowest)
COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 284.7 per 100,000 (12th lowest)
Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 8.3% (4th lowest)

32. Vermont

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New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, Dec. 31, 2023-Jan. 6, 2024: 9.6 per 100,000 (62 total)
COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug. 1, 2020: 1,081.7 per 100,000 (2nd lowest)
COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 170.2 per 100,000 (3rd lowest)
Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 15.5% (3rd highest)

31. Georgia

Source: JENNIFER E. WOLF / iStock Editorial via Getty Images

New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, Dec. 31, 2023-Jan. 6, 2024: 9.6 per 100,000 (1,047 total)
COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug. 1, 2020: 2,272.5 per 100,000 (11th highest)
COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 337.0 per 100,000 (20th lowest)
Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 9.5% (12th lowest)

30. Tennessee

Source: Xianghong Garrison / iStock Editorial via Getty Images

New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, Dec. 31, 2023-Jan. 6, 2024: 9.7 per 100,000 (687 total)
COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug. 1, 2020: 1,945.1 per 100,000 (23rd lowest)
COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 416.4 per 100,000 (11th highest)
Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 9.5% (12th lowest)

29. Oklahoma

Oklahoma National Guard by The National Guard

Source: thenationalguard / Flickr

Oklahoma National Guard (CC BY 2.0) by The National Guard

New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, Dec. 31, 2023-Jan. 6, 2024: 9.8 per 100,000 (392 total)
COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug. 1, 2020: 2,842.9 per 100,000 (2nd highest)
COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 496.6 per 100,000 (3rd highest)
Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 10.0% (24th highest)

28. Maryland

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New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, Dec. 31, 2023-Jan. 6, 2024: 9.9 per 100,000 (610 total)
COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug. 1, 2020: 1,655.4 per 100,000 (14th lowest)
COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 303.3 per 100,000 (16th lowest)
Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 12.1% (19th highest)

27. Maine

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Construction Fence (CC BY 2.0) by Paul VanDerWerf

New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, Dec. 31, 2023-Jan. 6, 2024: 10.1 per 100,000 (140 total)
COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug. 1, 2020: 1,184.5 per 100,000 (3rd lowest)
COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 250.8 per 100,000 (8th lowest)
Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 15.5% (3rd highest)

26. South Carolina

Source: Sean Rayford / Getty Images News via Getty Images

New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, Dec. 31, 2023-Jan. 6, 2024: 10.2 per 100,000 (539 total)
COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug. 1, 2020: 1,891.1 per 100,000 (20th lowest)
COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 411.4 per 100,000 (12th highest)
Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 9.5% (12th lowest)

25. Kansas

Source: Brian Davidson / Getty Images Sport via Getty Images

New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, Dec. 31, 2023-Jan. 6, 2024: 10.8 per 100,000 (317 total)
COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug. 1, 2020: 2,063.0 per 100,000 (21st highest)
COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 369.1 per 100,000 (23rd highest)
Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 14.9% (9th highest)

24. Delaware

Delaware National Guard by The National Guard

Source: thenationalguard / Flickr

Delaware National Guard (CC BY 2.0) by The National Guard

New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, Dec. 31, 2023-Jan. 6, 2024: 10.8 per 100,000 (110 total)
COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug. 1, 2020: 2,083.1 per 100,000 (18th highest)
COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 348.6 per 100,000 (24th lowest)
Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 12.1% (19th highest)

23. Idaho

Source: PeskyMonkey / iStock via Getty Images

New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, Dec. 31, 2023-Jan. 6, 2024: 10.8 per 100,000 (210 total)
COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug. 1, 2020: 1,539.5 per 100,000 (12th lowest)
COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 291.0 per 100,000 (13th lowest)
Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 10.0% (24th highest)

22. Alabama

Source: Jacqueline Nix / iStock Editorial via Getty Images

New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, Dec. 31, 2023-Jan. 6, 2024: 11.0 per 100,000 (556 total)
COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug. 1, 2020: 2,450.6 per 100,000 (6th highest)
COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 448.5 per 100,000 (6th highest)
Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 9.5% (12th lowest)

21. Illinois

Source: Scott Olson / Getty Images News via Getty Images

New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, Dec. 31, 2023-Jan. 6, 2024: 11.1 per 100,000 (1,395 total)
COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug. 1, 2020: 1,948.7 per 100,000 (24th lowest)
COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 328.4 per 100,000 (19th lowest)
Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 14.2% (13th highest)

20. Kentucky

Source: Jason Whitman / iStock Editorial via Getty Images

New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, Dec. 31, 2023-Jan. 6, 2024: 11.3 per 100,000 (508 total)
COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug. 1, 2020: 3,591.7 per 100,000 (the highest)
COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 456.8 per 100,000 (4th highest)
Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 9.5% (12th lowest)

19. Connecticut

Source: JasonOndreicka / iStock via Getty Images

New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, Dec. 31, 2023-Jan. 6, 2024: 11.4 per 100,000 (413 total)
COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug. 1, 2020: 1,917.9 per 100,000 (22nd lowest)
COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 347.7 per 100,000 (23rd lowest)
Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 15.5% (3rd highest)

18. Virginia

Source: krblokhin / iStock via Getty Images

New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, Dec. 31, 2023-Jan. 6, 2024: 11.4 per 100,000 (994 total)
COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug. 1, 2020: 1,508.3 per 100,000 (11th lowest)
COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 280.2 per 100,000 (10th lowest)
Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 12.1% (19th highest)

17. Nebraska

DFAC feeds Airmen during COVID... by Offutt Air Force Base

Source: offutt_afb / Flickr

DFAC feeds Airmen during COVID… (CC BY 2.0) by Offutt Air Force Base

New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, Dec. 31, 2023-Jan. 6, 2024: 11.7 per 100,000 (230 total)
COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug. 1, 2020: 1,730.8 per 100,000 (17th lowest)
COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 300.6 per 100,000 (15th lowest)
Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 14.9% (9th highest)

16. Montana

Source: Al Knauber / iStock Editorial via Getty Images

New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, Dec. 31, 2023-Jan. 6, 2024: 11.8 per 100,000 (132 total)
COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug. 1, 2020: 2,824.5 per 100,000 (3rd highest)
COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 353.5 per 100,000 (25th lowest)
Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 9.7% (18th lowest)

15. Iowa

Source: alan-light / Flickr

Iowa City during Covid-19 (CC BY 2.0) by Alan Light

New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, Dec. 31, 2023-Jan. 6, 2024: 11.9 per 100,000 (381 total)
COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug. 1, 2020: 1,820.8 per 100,000 (19th lowest)
COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 357.4 per 100,000 (25th highest)
Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 14.9% (9th highest)

14. Ohio

Source: PapaBear / iStock Editorial via Getty Images

New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, Dec. 31, 2023-Jan. 6, 2024: 12.6 per 100,000 (1,486 total)
COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug. 1, 2020: 2,354.4 per 100,000 (7th highest)
COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 432.8 per 100,000 (7th highest)
Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 14.2% (13th highest)

13. Michigan

Broadway Theatre - Mt. Pleasan... by Dan Gaken

Source: dgaken / Flickr

Broadway Theatre – Mt. Pleasan… (CC BY 2.0) by Dan Gaken

New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, Dec. 31, 2023-Jan. 6, 2024: 12.8 per 100,000 (1,284 total)
COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug. 1, 2020: 2,045.4 per 100,000 (23rd highest)
COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 384.9 per 100,000 (17th highest)
Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 14.2% (13th highest)

12. Rhode Island

Source: Maddie Meyer / Getty Images News via Getty Images

New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, Dec. 31, 2023-Jan. 6, 2024: 12.8 per 100,000 (140 total)
COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug. 1, 2020: 1,303.2 per 100,000 (5th lowest)
COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 371.6 per 100,000 (21st highest)
Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 15.5% (3rd highest)

11. Wisconsin

Source: Andy Manis / Getty Images News via Getty Images

New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, Dec. 31, 2023-Jan. 6, 2024: 12.9 per 100,000 (758 total)
COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug. 1, 2020: 2,277.1 per 100,000 (9th highest)
COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 299.0 per 100,000 (14th lowest)
Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 14.2% (13th highest)

10. Missouri

Source: Lana2011 / iStock via Getty Images

New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, Dec. 31, 2023-Jan. 6, 2024: 12.9 per 100,000 (799 total)
COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug. 1, 2020: 2,252.8 per 100,000 (12th highest)
COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 374.0 per 100,000 (20th highest)
Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 14.9% (9th highest)

9. South Dakota

Source: Saturated / iStock via Getty Images

New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, Dec. 31, 2023-Jan. 6, 2024: 13.1 per 100,000 (119 total)
COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug. 1, 2020: 2,275.1 per 100,000 (10th highest)
COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 369.9 per 100,000 (22nd highest)
Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 9.7% (18th lowest)

8. Pennsylvania

Class outdoors on Malesardi Qu... by Governor Tom Wolf

Source: governortomwolf / Flickr

Class outdoors on Malesardi Qu… (CC BY 2.0) by Governor Tom Wolf

New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, Dec. 31, 2023-Jan. 6, 2024: 13.1 per 100,000 (1,702 total)
COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug. 1, 2020: 2,011.1 per 100,000 (24th highest)
COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 417.1 per 100,000 (10th highest)
Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 12.1% (19th highest)

7. Indiana

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New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, Dec. 31, 2023-Jan. 6, 2024: 13.1 per 100,000 (898 total)
COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug. 1, 2020: 2,159.8 per 100,000 (15th highest)
COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 389.1 per 100,000 (15th highest)
Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 14.2% (13th highest)

6. Arkansas

Source: BorderaS / E+ via Getty Images

New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, Dec. 31, 2023-Jan. 6, 2024: 13.2 per 100,000 (401 total)
COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug. 1, 2020: 2,326.8 per 100,000 (8th highest)
COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 420.3 per 100,000 (9th highest)
Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 10.0% (24th highest)

5. New Hampshire

New Hampshire National Guard by The National Guard

Source: thenationalguard / Flickr

New Hampshire National Guard (CC BY 2.0) by The National Guard

New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, Dec. 31, 2023-Jan. 6, 2024: 13.5 per 100,000 (189 total)
COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug. 1, 2020: 1,414.2 per 100,000 (7th lowest)
COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 245.2 per 100,000 (7th lowest)
Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 15.5% (3rd highest)

4. Massachusetts

Source: Alexander Farnsworth / iStock via Getty Images

New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, Dec. 31, 2023-Jan. 6, 2024: 14.6 per 100,000 (1,016 total)
COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug. 1, 2020: 1,630.1 per 100,000 (13th lowest)
COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 309.4 per 100,000 (17th lowest)
Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 15.5% (3rd highest)

3. New Jersey

Source: Arturo Homes/Getty Images / Photodisc via Getty Images

New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, Dec. 31, 2023-Jan. 6, 2024: 14.9 per 100,000 (1,376 total)
COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug. 1, 2020: 1,985.4 per 100,000 (25th highest)
COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 388.8 per 100,000 (16th highest)
Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 15.8% (the highest)

2. New York

Source: Brianna Mancini / iStock Editorial via Getty Images

New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, Dec. 31, 2023-Jan. 6, 2024: 16.8 per 100,000 (3,310 total)
COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug. 1, 2020: 2,055.7 per 100,000 (22nd highest)
COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 421.3 per 100,000 (8th highest)
Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 15.8% (the highest)

1. West Virginia

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New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, Dec. 31, 2023-Jan. 6, 2024: 19.8 per 100,000 (351 total)
COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug. 1, 2020: 2,597.4 per 100,000 (5th highest)
COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 501.4 per 100,000 (2nd highest)
Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 12.1% (19th highest)