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The 2020 COVID-19 pandemic shuttered the world. If it seemed as though everything was shut down, it's probably because it was. For almost one year, all travel was canceled, restaurants and stores closed, and supermarkets had restrictions placed on visits. It took quite some time for life to return to normal and now, more than four years since, certain areas are beginning to see a rise in infected, with this state leading the nation with the worst COVID-19 surge.
Although hospitals are no longer required to report cases, according to the Centers for Disease Control's COVID Data Tracker, nationwide indicators are on the rise. Additionally, the CDC wastewater tracker – which measures the levels of the virus that causes COVID-19 in wastewater samples and can provide early warnings of COVID's spread in communities – has reported a higher level, and while numbers are down from January, they are still higher than early summer months. (In other health news, this common food might increase your cancer risk.)
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 7-13, 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 7-13, 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.
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 (8th lowest)
- COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 389.6 per 100,000 (18th highest)
- Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 12.8% (20th highest)
46. North Dakota
- Emergency department visits diagnosed as COVID-19 in past week: 0.6%
- COVID-19 deaths in the past three months: 0.6 per 100,000 (the lowest)
- COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 353.2 per 100,000 (22nd lowest)
- Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 12.8% (20th highest)
45. Rhode Island
- Emergency department visits diagnosed as COVID-19 in past week: 0.6%
- COVID-19 deaths in the past three months: 0.9 per 100,000 (9th lowest)
- COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 379.4 per 100,000 (21st highest)
- Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 10.9% (19th lowest)
44. Iowa
- Emergency department visits diagnosed as COVID-19 in past week: 0.7%
- COVID-19 deaths in the past three months: 0.9 per 100,000 (11th lowest)
- COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 365.8 per 100,000 (25th highest)
- Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 13.2% (10th highest)
43. Kansas
- Emergency department visits diagnosed as COVID-19 in past week: 0.7%
- COVID-19 deaths in the past three months: 1.0 per 100,000 (17th lowest)
- COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 377.0 per 100,000 (23rd highest)
- Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 13.2% (10th highest)
42. Pennsylvania
- Emergency department visits diagnosed as COVID-19 in past week: 0.7%
- COVID-19 deaths in the past three months: 1.1 per 100,000 (21st lowest)
- COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 426.3 per 100,000 (11th highest)
- Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 9.3% (5th lowest)
41. Nebraska
- Emergency department visits diagnosed as COVID-19 in past week: 0.7%
- COVID-19 deaths in the past three months: 1.7 per 100,000 (11th highest)
- COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 310.4 per 100,000 (15th lowest)
- Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 13.2% (10th highest)
40. 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 (7th lowest)
- COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 181.6 per 100,000 (3rd lowest)
- Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 10.9% (19th lowest)
39. Michigan
- Emergency department visits diagnosed as COVID-19 in past week: 0.8%
- COVID-19 deaths in the past three months: 1.2 per 100,000 (24th highest)
- COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 394.3 per 100,000 (17th highest)
- Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 12.9% (14th highest)
38. Maine
- Emergency department visits diagnosed as COVID-19 in past week: 0.8%
- COVID-19 deaths in the past three months: 1.7 per 100,000 (10th highest)
- COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 261.6 per 100,000 (8th lowest)
- Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 10.9% (19th lowest)
37. South Dakota
- Emergency department visits diagnosed as COVID-19 in past week: 0.8%
- COVID-19 deaths in the past three months: 1.9 per 100,000 (6th highest)
- COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 379.4 per 100,000 (22nd highest)
- Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 12.8% (20th highest)
36. West Virginia
- Emergency department visits diagnosed as COVID-19 in past week: 0.8%
- COVID-19 deaths in the past three months: 2.0 per 100,000 (4th highest)
- COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 514.1 per 100,000 (2nd highest)
- Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 9.3% (5th lowest)
35. Ohio
- 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 (20th lowest)
- COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 442.5 per 100,000 (7th highest)
- Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 12.9% (14th highest)
34. Wisconsin
- 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 (10th lowest)
- COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 306.7 per 100,000 (14th lowest)
- Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 12.9% (14th highest)
33. Indiana
- 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: 399.0 per 100,000 (15th highest)
- Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 12.9% (14th highest)
32. New Hampshire
- 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 (14th lowest)
- COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 253.4 per 100,000 (7th lowest)
- Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 10.9% (19th lowest)
31. Tennessee
- 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: 426.5 per 100,000 (10th highest)
- Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 10.4% (13th lowest)
30. Delaware
- Emergency department visits diagnosed as COVID-19 in past week: 1.0%
- COVID-19 deaths in the past three months: 1.9 per 100,000 (7th highest)
- COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 363.2 per 100,000 (25th lowest)
- Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 9.3% (5th lowest)
29. Georgia
- 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 (12th lowest)
- COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 345.3 per 100,000 (20th lowest)
- Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 10.4% (13th lowest)
28. New York
- Emergency department visits diagnosed as COVID-19 in past week: 1.1%
- COVID-19 deaths in the past three months: 1.2 per 100,000 (22nd highest)
- COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 429.5 per 100,000 (9th highest)
- Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 12.7% (25th lowest)
27. Illinois
- Emergency department visits diagnosed as COVID-19 in past week: 1.2%
- COVID-19 deaths in the past three months: 0.8 per 100,000 (4th lowest)
- COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 335.0 per 100,000 (18th lowest)
- Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 12.9% (14th highest)
26. Alabama
- Emergency department visits diagnosed as COVID-19 in past week: 1.2%
- COVID-19 deaths in the past three months: 1.2 per 100,000 (25th lowest)
- COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 458.2 per 100,000 (6th highest)
- Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 10.4% (13th lowest)
25. New Jersey
- Emergency department visits diagnosed as COVID-19 in past week: 1.2%
- COVID-19 deaths in the past three months: 1.2 per 100,000 (21st highest)
- COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 397.1 per 100,000 (16th highest)
- Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 12.7% (25th lowest)
24. Arkansas
- Emergency department visits diagnosed as COVID-19 in past week: 1.2%
- COVID-19 deaths in the past three months: 1.4 per 100,000 (17th highest)
- COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 430.6 per 100,000 (8th highest)
- Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 13.5% (5th highest)
23. Connecticut
- Emergency department visits diagnosed as COVID-19 in past week: 1.3%
- COVID-19 deaths in the past three months: 1.2 per 100,000 (23rd lowest)
- COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 356.4 per 100,000 (23rd lowest)
- Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 10.9% (19th lowest)
22. Kentucky
- Emergency department visits diagnosed as COVID-19 in past week: 1.3%
- COVID-19 deaths in the past three months: 2.2 per 100,000 (3rd highest)
- COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 473.3 per 100,000 (4th highest)
- Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 10.4% (13th lowest)
21. Utah
- Emergency department visits diagnosed as COVID-19 in past week: 1.4%
- COVID-19 deaths in the past three months: 0.8 per 100,000 (5th lowest)
- COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 171.0 per 100,000 (2nd lowest)
- Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 12.8% (20th highest)
20. Massachusetts
- 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 (23rd highest)
- COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 317.4 per 100,000 (17th lowest)
- Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 10.9% (19th lowest)
19. Colorado
- 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 (20th highest)
- COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 269.7 per 100,000 (9th lowest)
- Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 12.8% (20th highest)
18. North Carolina
- 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: 336.5 per 100,000 (19th lowest)
- Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 10.4% (13th lowest)
17. Maryland
- Emergency department visits diagnosed as COVID-19 in past week: 1.4%
- COVID-19 deaths in the past three months: 1.7 per 100,000 (12th highest)
- COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 312.8 per 100,000 (16th lowest)
- Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 9.3% (5th lowest)
16. Virginia
- 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 (15th lowest)
- COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 289.6 per 100,000 (10th lowest)
- Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 9.3% (5th lowest)
15. Idaho
- Emergency department visits diagnosed as COVID-19 in past week: 1.5%
- COVID-19 deaths in the past three months: 1.1 per 100,000 (18th lowest)
- COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 297.8 per 100,000 (13th lowest)
- Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 12.2% (23rd lowest)
14. Nevada
- Emergency department visits diagnosed as COVID-19 in past week: 1.5%
- COVID-19 deaths in the past three months: 1.2 per 100,000 (24th lowest)
- COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 388.3 per 100,000 (19th highest)
- Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 16.4% (the highest)
13. South Carolina
- Emergency department visits diagnosed as COVID-19 in past week: 1.5%
- COVID-19 deaths in the past three months: 1.4 per 100,000 (15th highest)
- COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 422.8 per 100,000 (12th highest)
- Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 10.4% (13th lowest)
12. Montana
- Emergency department visits diagnosed as COVID-19 in past week: 1.6%
- COVID-19 deaths in the past three months: 1.9 per 100,000 (5th highest)
- COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 362.2 per 100,000 (24th lowest)
- Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 12.8% (20th highest)
11. Mississippi
- Emergency department visits diagnosed as COVID-19 in past week: 1.6%
- COVID-19 deaths in the past three months: 2.7 per 100,000 (2nd highest)
- COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 530.9 per 100,000 (the highest)
- Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 10.4% (13th lowest)
10. New Mexico
- Emergency department visits diagnosed as COVID-19 in past week: 1.7%
- COVID-19 deaths in the past three months: 1.8 per 100,000 (9th highest)
- COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 461.7 per 100,000 (5th highest)
- Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 13.5% (5th highest)
9. Washington
- Emergency department visits diagnosed as COVID-19 in past week: 1.8%
- COVID-19 deaths in the past three months: 1.1 per 100,000 (19th lowest)
- COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 206.7 per 100,000 (4th lowest)
- Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 12.2% (23rd lowest)
8. Oregon
- Emergency department visits diagnosed as COVID-19 in past week: 1.8%
- COVID-19 deaths in the past three months: 1.4 per 100,000 (18th highest)
- COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 235.0 per 100,000 (6th lowest)
- Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 12.2% (23rd lowest)
7. Arizona
- Emergency department visits diagnosed as COVID-19 in past week: 1.8%
- COVID-19 deaths in the past three months: 1.8 per 100,000 (8th highest)
- COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 417.9 per 100,000 (13th highest)
- Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 16.4% (the highest)
6. California
- 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 (25th highest)
- COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 290.7 per 100,000 (12th lowest)
- Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 16.4% (the highest)
5. Alaska
- Emergency department visits diagnosed as COVID-19 in past week: 2.0%
- COVID-19 deaths in the past three months: 0.7 per 100,000 (2nd lowest)
- COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 216.7 per 100,000 (5th lowest)
- Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 12.2% (23rd lowest)
4. Louisiana
- Emergency department visits diagnosed as COVID-19 in past week: 2.1%
- COVID-19 deaths in the past three months: 0.7 per 100,000 (3rd lowest)
- COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 399.4 per 100,000 (14th highest)
- Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 13.5% (5th highest)
3. Texas
- Emergency department visits diagnosed as COVID-19 in past week: 2.3%
- COVID-19 deaths in the past three months: 0.8 per 100,000 (6th lowest)
- COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 351.1 per 100,000 (21st lowest)
- Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 13.5% (5th highest)
2. Hawaii
- Emergency department visits diagnosed as COVID-19 in past week: 3.5%
- COVID-19 deaths in the past three months: 4.1 per 100,000 (the highest)
- COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 149.8 per 100,000 (the lowest)
- Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 16.4% (the highest)
1. Florida
- Emergency department visits diagnosed as COVID-19 in past week: 3.8%
- COVID-19 deaths in the past three months: 1.4 per 100,000 (14th highest)
- COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 375.4 per 100,000 (24th highest)
- Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 10.4% (13th lowest)