As the latest variants – EG.5 (also called Eris) and the newly emergent BA.2.86 strain (nicknamed Pirola) – push COVID-19 cases to new levels across America, and some local hospitals, schools, and businesses are reinstating mask mandates, certain states are emerging as new hotspots where the virus is spreading most rapidly.
To determine the states where COVID-19 is the worst right now, 24/7 Tempo reviewed data on recent COVID-19 hospital admissions and other associated metrics 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 in the week ending Aug. 19, 2023.
There are some obvious regional disparities in current COVID-19 cases: States in the South, such as Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama, consistently exhibit higher rates of new weekly hospital admissions as well as cumulative hospital admissions, cumulative deaths, and test positivity rates. This suggests that these regions have faced a more severe and prolonged impact from the virus. (There are three COVID-related entries on our list of the 24 biggest scandals last year.)
Conversely, states in the Northeast tend to have lower figures in these categories. Hawaii, despite having the highest new weekly COVID-19 hospital admission rate, at 9.7 per 100,000, stands out for its lower cumulative hospital admissions and deaths and a moderately high test positivity rate of 14.0%, indicating effective containment measures and healthcare management. (These are the states with the most health-conscious residents.)
Some states, like Florida and Texas, exhibit high numbers across the board, indicating a complex and ongoing battle with the virus, possibly because of their larger populations. Florida, for example, faces substantial challenges with 9.4 new weekly COVID-19 cases per 100,000 residents, the second highest.
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 in the week ending Aug. 19, 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 in the week ending Aug. 19, 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 are for July 1, 2022.
50. North Dakota
> New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, Aug 19, 2023: 1.5 per 100,000 (12 total)
> Total COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug. 1, 2020: 1,922.1 per 100,000 (21st highest)
> Total COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 338.4 per 100,000 (21st lowest)
> Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 12.1% (24th highest)
49. Maine
> New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, Aug 19, 2023: 1.9 per 100,000 (26 total)
> Total COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug. 1, 2020: 1,084.6 per 100,000 (4th lowest)
> Total COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 240.0 per 100,000 (8th lowest)
> Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 9.6% (11th lowest)
48. Minnesota
> New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, Aug 19, 2023: 2.0 per 100,000 (116 total)
> Total COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug. 1, 2020: 1,369.6 per 100,000 (9th lowest)
> Total COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 271.3 per 100,000 (11th lowest)
> Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 12.0% (21st lowest)
47. Kansas
> New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, Aug 19, 2023: 2.0 per 100,000 (60 total)
> Total COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug. 1, 2020: 1,930.2 per 100,000 (20th highest)
> Total COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 360.1 per 100,000 (22nd highest)
> Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 13.2% (18th highest)
46. New Mexico
> New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, Aug 19, 2023: 2.1 per 100,000 (45 total)
> Total COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug. 1, 2020: 1,802.7 per 100,000 (22nd lowest)
> Total COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 440.7 per 100,000 (5th highest)
> Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 18.0% (the highest)
45. Utah
> New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, Aug 19, 2023: 2.1 per 100,000 (72 total)
> Total COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug. 1, 2020: 1,378.6 per 100,000 (10th lowest)
> Total COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 163.1 per 100,000 (3rd lowest)
> Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 12.1% (24th highest)
44. Wisconsin
> New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, Aug 19, 2023: 2.4 per 100,000 (140 total)
> Total COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug. 1, 2020: 2,134.9 per 100,000 (10th highest)
> Total COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 290.7 per 100,000 (14th lowest)
> Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 12.0% (21st lowest)
43. Oklahoma
> New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, Aug 19, 2023: 2.4 per 100,000 (96 total)
> Total COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug. 1, 2020: 2,721.8 per 100,000 (2nd highest)
> Total COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 485.0 per 100,000 (3rd highest)
> Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 18.0% (the highest)
42. Nebraska
> New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, Aug 19, 2023: 2.4 per 100,000 (47 total)
> Total COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug. 1, 2020: 1,595.2 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: 13.2% (18th highest)
41. Colorado
> New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, Aug 19, 2023: 2.5 per 100,000 (145 total)
> Total COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug. 1, 2020: 1,646.4 per 100,000 (18th lowest)
> Total COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 255.9 per 100,000 (9th lowest)
> Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 12.1% (24th highest)
40. Ohio
> New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, Aug 19, 2023: 2.6 per 100,000 (304 total)
> Total COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug. 1, 2020: 2,205.4 per 100,000 (7th highest)
> Total COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 422.5 per 100,000 (7th highest)
> Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 12.0% (21st lowest)
39. Michigan
> New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, Aug 19, 2023: 2.7 per 100,000 (269 total)
> Total COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug. 1, 2020: 1,909.3 per 100,000 (22nd highest)
> Total COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 375.4 per 100,000 (17th highest)
> Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 12.0% (21st lowest)
38. Alaska
> New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, Aug 19, 2023: 2.7 per 100,000 (20 total)
> Total COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug. 1, 2020: 1,315.7 per 100,000 (7th lowest)
> Total COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 206.1 per 100,000 (5th lowest)
> Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 11.7% (15th lowest)
37. South Dakota
> New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, Aug 19, 2023: 2.7 per 100,000 (25 total)
> Total COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug. 1, 2020: 2,098.2 per 100,000 (11th highest)
> Total COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 359.6 per 100,000 (23rd highest)
> Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 12.1% (24th highest)
36. Idaho
> New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, Aug 19, 2023: 2.8 per 100,000 (55 total)
> Total COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug. 1, 2020: 1,415.4 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: 11.7% (15th lowest)
35. Arizona
> New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, Aug 19, 2023: 2.8 per 100,000 (209 total)
> Total COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug. 1, 2020: 2,075.7 per 100,000 (13th highest)
> Total COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 403.3 per 100,000 (12th highest)
> Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 14.0% (6th highest)
34. Indiana
> New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, Aug 19, 2023: 2.9 per 100,000 (195 total)
> Total COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug. 1, 2020: 2,026.8 per 100,000 (15th highest)
> Total COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 379.2 per 100,000 (16th highest)
> Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 12.0% (21st lowest)
33. New Hampshire
> New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, Aug 19, 2023: 2.9 per 100,000 (40 total)
> Total COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug. 1, 2020: 1,290.5 per 100,000 (6th lowest)
> Total COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 235.2 per 100,000 (7th lowest)
> Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 9.6% (11th lowest)
32. Washington
> New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, Aug 19, 2023: 3.0 per 100,000 (233 total)
> Total COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug. 1, 2020: 974.9 per 100,000 (2nd lowest)
> Total COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 192.5 per 100,000 (4th lowest)
> Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 11.7% (15th lowest)
31. Rhode Island
> New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, Aug 19, 2023: 3.0 per 100,000 (33 total)
> Total COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug. 1, 2020: 1,189.3 per 100,000 (5th lowest)
> Total COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 363.0 per 100,000 (21st highest)
> Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 9.6% (11th lowest)
30. Delaware
> New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, Aug 19, 2023: 3.0 per 100,000 (31 total)
> Total COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug. 1, 2020: 1,964.7 per 100,000 (18th highest)
> Total COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 338.8 per 100,000 (23rd lowest)
> Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 7.8% (5th lowest)
29. Pennsylvania
> New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, Aug 19, 2023: 3.1 per 100,000 (403 total)
> Total COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug. 1, 2020: 1,877.4 per 100,000 (25th highest)
> Total COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 405.6 per 100,000 (11th highest)
> Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 7.8% (5th lowest)
28. New Jersey
> New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, Aug 19, 2023: 3.2 per 100,000 (294 total)
> Total COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug. 1, 2020: 1,850.6 per 100,000 (25th lowest)
> Total COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 380.9 per 100,000 (15th highest)
> Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 12.5% (22nd highest)
27. Maryland
> New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, Aug 19, 2023: 3.4 per 100,000 (207 total)
> Total COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug. 1, 2020: 1,543.2 per 100,000 (15th lowest)
> Total COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 293.3 per 100,000 (16th lowest)
> Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 7.8% (5th lowest)
26. Iowa
> New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, Aug 19, 2023: 3.4 per 100,000 (109 total)
> Total COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug. 1, 2020: 1,684.8 per 100,000 (19th lowest)
> Total COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 346.9 per 100,000 (25th highest)
> Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 13.2% (18th highest)
25. Virginia
> New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, Aug 19, 2023: 3.4 per 100,000 (298 total)
> Total COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug. 1, 2020: 1,384.5 per 100,000 (11th lowest)
> Total COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 270.9 per 100,000 (10th lowest)
> Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 7.8% (5th lowest)
24. Illinois
> New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, Aug 19, 2023: 3.5 per 100,000 (441 total)
> Total COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug. 1, 2020: 1,808.2 per 100,000 (23rd lowest)
> Total COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 320.5 per 100,000 (19th lowest)
> Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 12.0% (21st lowest)
23. Montana
> New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, Aug 19, 2023: 3.7 per 100,000 (41 total)
> Total COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug. 1, 2020: 2,662.6 per 100,000 (3rd highest)
> Total COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 344.3 per 100,000 (25th lowest)
> Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 12.1% (24th highest)
22. Oregon
> New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, Aug 19, 2023: 3.7 per 100,000 (156 total)
> Total COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug. 1, 2020: 1,077.6 per 100,000 (3rd lowest)
> Total COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 218.6 per 100,000 (6th lowest)
> Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 11.7% (15th lowest)
21. Wyoming
> New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, Aug 19, 2023: 3.8 per 100,000 (22 total)
> Total COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug. 1, 2020: 1,949.2 per 100,000 (19th highest)
> Total COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 367.6 per 100,000 (19th highest)
> Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 12.1% (24th highest)
20. North Carolina
> New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, Aug 19, 2023: 3.8 per 100,000 (411 total)
> Total COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug. 1, 2020: 1,556.3 per 100,000 (16th lowest)
> Total COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 315.3 per 100,000 (18th lowest)
> Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 13.8% (10th highest)
19. Missouri
> New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, Aug 19, 2023: 3.9 per 100,000 (243 total)
> Total COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug. 1, 2020: 2,095.5 per 100,000 (12th highest)
> Total COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 363.3 per 100,000 (20th highest)
> Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 13.2% (18th highest)
18. Kentucky
> New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, Aug 19, 2023: 4.2 per 100,000 (191 total)
> Total COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug. 1, 2020: 3,433.3 per 100,000 (the highest)
> Total COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 441.7 per 100,000 (4th highest)
> Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 13.8% (10th highest)
17. Tennessee
> New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, Aug 19, 2023: 4.3 per 100,000 (301 total)
> Total COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug. 1, 2020: 1,835.4 per 100,000 (24th lowest)
> Total COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 405.8 per 100,000 (10th highest)
> Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 13.8% (10th highest)
16. Nevada
> New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, Aug 19, 2023: 4.4 per 100,000 (141 total)
> Total COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug. 1, 2020: 2,016.2 per 100,000 (16th highest)
> Total COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 374.8 per 100,000 (18th highest)
> Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 14.0% (6th highest)
15. Texas
> New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, Aug 19, 2023: 4.5 per 100,000 (1,366 total)
> Total COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug. 1, 2020: 2,009.9 per 100,000 (17th highest)
> Total COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 340.1 per 100,000 (24th lowest)
> Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 18.0% (the highest)
14. South Carolina
> New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, Aug 19, 2023: 4.7 per 100,000 (246 total)
> Total COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug. 1, 2020: 1,777.3 per 100,000 (21st lowest)
> Total COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 401.9 per 100,000 (13th highest)
> Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 13.8% (10th highest)
13. West Virginia
> New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, Aug 19, 2023: 4.7 per 100,000 (84 total)
> Total COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug. 1, 2020: 2,367.6 per 100,000 (5th highest)
> Total COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 486.0 per 100,000 (2nd highest)
> Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 7.8% (5th lowest)
12. Vermont
> New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, Aug 19, 2023: 4.8 per 100,000 (31 total)
> Total COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug. 1, 2020: 961.7 per 100,000 (the lowest)
> Total COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 156.4 per 100,000 (2nd lowest)
> Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 9.6% (11th lowest)
11. Massachusetts
> New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, Aug 19, 2023: 4.8 per 100,000 (338 total)
> Total COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug. 1, 2020: 1,471.9 per 100,000 (13th lowest)
> Total COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 299.1 per 100,000 (17th lowest)
> Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 9.6% (11th lowest)
10. Connecticut
> New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, Aug 19, 2023: 5.1 per 100,000 (185 total)
> Total COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug. 1, 2020: 1,768.7 per 100,000 (20th lowest)
> Total COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 338.7 per 100,000 (22nd lowest)
> Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 9.6% (11th lowest)
9. Arkansas
> New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, Aug 19, 2023: 5.4 per 100,000 (163 total)
> Total COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug. 1, 2020: 2,189.8 per 100,000 (8th highest)
> Total COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 411.1 per 100,000 (9th highest)
> Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 18.0% (the highest)
8. New York
> New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, Aug 19, 2023: 5.4 per 100,000 (1,071 total)
> Total COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug. 1, 2020: 1,892.5 per 100,000 (23rd highest)
> Total COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 411.8 per 100,000 (8th highest)
> Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 12.5% (22nd highest)
7. Georgia
> New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, Aug 19, 2023: 5.7 per 100,000 (624 total)
> Total COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug. 1, 2020: 2,175.0 per 100,000 (9th highest)
> Total COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 330.7 per 100,000 (20th lowest)
> Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 13.8% (10th highest)
6. California
> New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, Aug 19, 2023: 5.9 per 100,000 (2,306 total)
> Total COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug. 1, 2020: 1,540.7 per 100,000 (14th lowest)
> Total COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 278.3 per 100,000 (12th lowest)
> Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 14.0% (6th highest)
5. Alabama
> New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, Aug 19, 2023: 6.3 per 100,000 (318 total)
> Total COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug. 1, 2020: 2,283.2 per 100,000 (6th highest)
> Total COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 439.9 per 100,000 (6th highest)
> Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 13.8% (10th highest)
4. Mississippi
> New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, Aug 19, 2023: 6.6 per 100,000 (193 total)
> Total COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug. 1, 2020: 1,884.1 per 100,000 (24th highest)
> Total COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 502.9 per 100,000 (the highest)
> Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 13.8% (10th highest)
3. Louisiana
> New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, Aug 19, 2023: 6.7 per 100,000 (307 total)
> Total COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug. 1, 2020: 2,067.9 per 100,000 (14th highest)
> Total COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 384.1 per 100,000 (14th highest)
> Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 18.0% (the highest)
2. Florida
> New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, Aug 19, 2023: 9.4 per 100,000 (2,086 total)
> Total COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug. 1, 2020: 2,532.6 per 100,000 (4th highest)
> Total COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 358.2 per 100,000 (24th highest)
> Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 13.8% (10th highest)
1. Hawaii
> New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, Aug 19, 2023: 9.7 per 100,000 (139 total)
> Total COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug. 1, 2020: 1,329.5 per 100,000 (8th lowest)
> Total COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 134.5 per 100,000 (the lowest)
> Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 14.0% (6th highest)