States Where COVID-19 Is the Worst Right Now

The respiratory virus season stretching through the winter of 2023-24 is waning. That means that reported infection rates for flu, RSV (respiratory syncytial virus), and COVID-19 continue to ease downwards. Since mid-December, tests reveal that flu had the highest positivity rate of the three — but COVID-19 still accounts for the highest rate of hospitalizations, averaging out to 2.8 per 100,000 people nationwide, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Of course, hospitalization rates vary considerably from state to state, due to such factors as population density, climate, and degree of vaccine hesitancy. 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 March 17-23, 2024.

While the rates are down pretty much across the board, the rate ticked up slightly for this week’s No. 1 state, Hawaii. Last week it was in fourth place, with a hospitalization rate of 4.6 per 100,000, while this week, showing the worst rate of any state, it came in at 4.8 — which happens to be the same hospitalization rate recorded by last week’s No. 1 state, Nebraska. But speaking of which, kudos to the Cornhusker State, which sank from that lead position to No. 31 this week, with its admission rate cut almost in half, to 2.5 per 100,000.

At the low end, further proof of the decline in COVID hospitalizations comes from the fact that the state in last place on the list, Wyoming, posts a rate of only 0.9 hospital admissions per 100,000, while the previous week’s lowest rate was 1.5, from Alaska (which stands at 1.4 this week).

Clearly, we are moving in the right direction, though, also clearly, we’re not entirely over COVID-19 yet. (Click here to compare this week’s numbers with last week’s.)

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 new hospital admissions due to COVID-19 per 100,000 state residents for the week of March 17-23, 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 March 17-23, 2024 also came from the CDC. It should be noted that this metric is widely considered to be inaccurate today, due to the closing down of many official testing centers and the fact that the results of home tests are rarely reported. 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.

Scroll down for the states where COVID-19 is the worst right now:

50. Wyoming

• New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, March 17-23, 2024: 0.9 per 100,000 (5 total)
• COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug. 1, 2020: 2,093 per 100,000 (23rd highest)
• COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 387.2 per 100,000 (18th highest)
• Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 3.6% (19th lowest)

49. Alaska

• New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, March 17-23, 2024: 1.4 per 100,000 (10 total)
• COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug. 1, 2020: 1,436 per 100,000 (6th lowest)
• COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 214.7 per 100,000 (5th lowest)
• Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 4.4% (6th highest)

48. Iowa

• New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, March 17-23, 2024: 1.4 per 100,000 (44 total)
• COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug. 1, 2020: 1,865 per 100,000 (19th lowest)
• COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 364.2 per 100,000 (25th highest)
• Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 4.2% (10th highest)

47. New Hampshire

• New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, March 17-23, 2024: 1.5 per 100,000 (21 total)
• COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug. 1, 2020: 1,466 per 100,000 (7th lowest)
• COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 251.4 per 100,000 (7th lowest)
• Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 3.4% (13th lowest)

46. Rhode Island

• New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, March 17-23, 2024: 1.6 per 100,000 (17 total)
• COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug. 1, 2020: 1,357 per 100,000 (5th lowest)
• COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 377.4 per 100,000 (21st highest)
• Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 3.4% (13th lowest)

45. Kansas

• New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, March 17-23, 2024: 1.8 per 100,000 (54 total)
• COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug. 1, 2020: 2,110 per 100,000 (21st highest)
• COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 375.1 per 100,000 (23rd highest)
• Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 4.2% (10th highest)

44. Utah

• New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, March 17-23, 2024: 1.9 per 100,000 (64 total)
• COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug. 1, 2020: 1,514 per 100,000 (8th lowest)
• COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 169.8 per 100,000 (2nd lowest)
• Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 3.6% (19th lowest)

43. Colorado

• New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, March 17-23, 2024: 1.9 per 100,000 (111 total)
• COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug. 1, 2020: 1,822 per 100,000 (18th lowest)
• COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 267.5 per 100,000 (9th lowest)
• Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 3.6% (19th lowest)

42. Arizona

• New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, March 17-23, 2024: 2.1 per 100,000 (153 total)
• COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug. 1, 2020: 2,239 per 100,000 (14th highest)
• COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 415.2 per 100,000 (13th highest)
• Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 4.0% (14th highest)

41. South Dakota

• New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, March 17-23, 2024: 2.1 per 100,000 (19 total)
• COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug. 1, 2020: 2,341 per 100,000 (10th highest)
• COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 376.7 per 100,000 (22nd highest)
• Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 3.6% (19th lowest)

40. Minnesota

• New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, March 17-23, 2024: 2.1 per 100,000 (122 total)
• COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug. 1, 2020: 1,532 per 100,000 (9th lowest)
• COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 288.1 per 100,000 (11th lowest)
• Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 3.9% (25th lowest)

39. Vermont

• New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, March 17-23, 2024: 2.2 per 100,000 (14 total)
• COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug. 1, 2020: 1,131 per 100,000 (2nd lowest)
• COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 179.0 per 100,000 (3rd lowest)
• Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 3.4% (13th lowest)

38. Massachusetts

• New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, March 17-23, 2024: 2.2 per 100,000 (154 total)
• COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug. 1, 2020: 1,700 per 100,000 (13th lowest)
• COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 315.1 per 100,000 (17th lowest)
• Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 3.4% (13th lowest)

37. Connecticut

• New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, March 17-23, 2024: 2.3 per 100,000 (84 total)
• COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug. 1, 2020: 1,992 per 100,000 (22nd lowest)
• COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 354.2 per 100,000 (23rd lowest)
• Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 3.4% (13th lowest)

36. Indiana

• New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, March 17-23, 2024: 2.4 per 100,000 (165 total)
• COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug. 1, 2020: 2,212 per 100,000 (15th highest)
• COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 396.7 per 100,000 (15th highest)
• Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 3.9% (25th lowest)

35. Maryland

• New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, March 17-23, 2024: 2.4 per 100,000 (150 total)
• COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug. 1, 2020: 1,706 per 100,000 (14th lowest)
• COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 309.9 per 100,000 (16th lowest)
• Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 3.4% (13th lowest)

34. California

• New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, March 17-23, 2024: 2.5 per 100,000 (957 total)
• COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug. 1, 2020: 1,720 per 100,000 (15th lowest)
• COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 288.7 per 100,000 (12th lowest)
• Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 4.0% (14th highest)

33. Ohio

• New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, March 17-23, 2024: 2.5 per 100,000 (291 total)
• COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug. 1, 2020: 2,415 per 100,000 (7th highest)
• COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 440.0 per 100,000 (7th highest)
• Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 3.9% (25th lowest)

32. Washington

• New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, March 17-23, 2024: 2.5 per 100,000 (194 total)
• COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug. 1, 2020: 1,095 per 100,000 (the lowest)
• COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 204.5 per 100,000 (4th lowest)
• Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 4.4% (6th highest)

31. Nebraska

• New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, March 17-23, 2024: 2.5 per 100,000 (50 total)
• COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug. 1, 2020: 1,786 per 100,000 (17th lowest)
• COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 307.5 per 100,000 (15th lowest)
• Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 4.2% (10th highest)

30. New Mexico

• New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, March 17-23, 2024: 2.6 per 100,000 (54 total)
• COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug. 1, 2020: 1,949 per 100,000 (20th lowest)
• COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 458.0 per 100,000 (5th highest)
• Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 4.7% (the highest)

29. New Jersey

• New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, March 17-23, 2024: 2.6 per 100,000 (237 total)
• COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug. 1, 2020: 2,067 per 100,000 (25th highest)
• COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 395.0 per 100,000 (16th highest)
• Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 3.4% (13th lowest)

28. Idaho

• New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, March 17-23, 2024: 2.6 per 100,000 (50 total)
• COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug. 1, 2020: 1,585 per 100,000 (12th lowest)
• COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 295.7 per 100,000 (13th lowest)
• Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 4.4% (6th highest)

27. Wisconsin

• New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, March 17-23, 2024: 2.6 per 100,000 (153 total)
• COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug. 1, 2020: 2,333 per 100,000 (11th highest)
• COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 304.7 per 100,000 (14th lowest)
• Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 3.9% (25th lowest)

26. Nevada

• New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, March 17-23, 2024: 2.6 per 100,000 (83 total)
• COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug. 1, 2020: 2,154 per 100,000 (17th highest)
• COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 386.3 per 100,000 (19th highest)
• Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 4.0% (14th highest)

25. Oregon

• New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, March 17-23, 2024: 2.6 per 100,000 (112 total)
• COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug. 1, 2020: 1,230 per 100,000 (3rd lowest)
• COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 232.3 per 100,000 (6th lowest)
• Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 4.4% (6th highest)

24. Maine

• New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, March 17-23, 2024: 2.7 per 100,000 (37 total)
• COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug. 1, 2020: 1,230 per 100,000 (4th lowest)
• COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 258.3 per 100,000 (8th lowest)
• Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 3.4% (13th lowest)

23. Texas

• New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, March 17-23, 2024: 2.7 per 100,000 (805 total)
• COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug. 1, 2020: 2,162 per 100,000 (16th highest)
• COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 349.4 per 100,000 (21st lowest)
• Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 4.7% (the highest)

22. Mississippi

• New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, March 17-23, 2024: 2.7 per 100,000 (80 total)
• COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug. 1, 2020: 2,017 per 100,000 (25th lowest)
• COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 526.1 per 100,000 (the highest)
• Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 4.0% (14th highest)

21. Illinois

• New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, March 17-23, 2024: 2.7 per 100,000 (346 total)
• COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug. 1, 2020: 2,013 per 100,000 (24th lowest)
• COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 333.3 per 100,000 (18th lowest)
• Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 3.9% (25th lowest)

20. Montana

• New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, March 17-23, 2024: 2.8 per 100,000 (31 total)
• COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug. 1, 2020: 2,871 per 100,000 (3rd highest)
• COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 358.9 per 100,000 (24th lowest)
• Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 3.6% (19th lowest)

19. New York

• New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, March 17-23, 2024: 2.8 per 100,000 (552 total)
• COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug. 1, 2020: 2,133 per 100,000 (19th highest)
• COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 427.3 per 100,000 (8th highest)
• Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 3.4% (13th lowest)

18. Kentucky

• New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, March 17-23, 2024: 2.8 per 100,000 (127 total)
• COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug. 1, 2020: 3,660 per 100,000 (the highest)
• COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 468.3 per 100,000 (4th highest)
• Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 4.0% (14th highest)

17. North Dakota

• New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, March 17-23, 2024: 3.0 per 100,000 (23 total)
• COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug. 1, 2020: 2,127 per 100,000 (20th highest)
• COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 350.8 per 100,000 (22nd lowest)
• Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 3.6% (19th lowest)

16. Pennsylvania

• New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, March 17-23, 2024: 3.0 per 100,000 (383 total)
• COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug. 1, 2020: 2,074 per 100,000 (24th highest)
• COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 424.1 per 100,000 (10th highest)
• Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 3.4% (13th lowest)

15. Michigan

• New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, March 17-23, 2024: 3.1 per 100,000 (312 total)
• COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug. 1, 2020: 2,109 per 100,000 (22nd highest)
• COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 392.1 per 100,000 (17th highest)
• Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 3.9% (25th lowest)

14. Delaware

• New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, March 17-23, 2024: 3.1 per 100,000 (32 total)
• COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug. 1, 2020: 2,152 per 100,000 (18th highest)
• COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 359.1 per 100,000 (25th lowest)
• Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 3.4% (13th lowest)

13. Tennessee

• New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, March 17-23, 2024: 3.2 per 100,000 (224 total)
• COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug. 1, 2020: 2,005 per 100,000 (23rd lowest)
• COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 423.9 per 100,000 (11th highest)
• Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 4.0% (14th highest)

12. Georgia

• New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, March 17-23, 2024: 3.2 per 100,000 (354 total)
• COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug. 1, 2020: 2,345 per 100,000 (9th highest)
• COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 342.6 per 100,000 (20th lowest)
• Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 4.0% (14th highest)

11. North Carolina

• New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, March 17-23, 2024: 3.3 per 100,000 (348 total)
• COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug. 1, 2020: 1,722 per 100,000 (16th lowest)
• COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 333.7 per 100,000 (19th lowest)
• Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 4.0% (14th highest)

10. Oklahoma

• New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, March 17-23, 2024: 3.3 per 100,000 (133 total)
• COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug. 1, 2020: 2,908 per 100,000 (2nd highest)
• COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 505.9 per 100,000 (3rd highest)
• Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 4.7% (the highest)

9. Florida

• New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, March 17-23, 2024: 3.3 per 100,000 (736 total)
• COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug. 1, 2020: 2,735 per 100,000 (4th highest)
• COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 372.7 per 100,000 (24th highest)
• Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 4.0% (14th highest)

8. South Carolina

• New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, March 17-23, 2024: 3.5 per 100,000 (183 total)
• COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug. 1, 2020: 1,968 per 100,000 (21st lowest)
• COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 419.6 per 100,000 (12th highest)
• Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 4.0% (14th highest)

7. Missouri

• New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, March 17-23, 2024: 3.5 per 100,000 (215 total)
• COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug. 1, 2020: 2,327 per 100,000 (12th highest)
• COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 379.2 per 100,000 (20th highest)
• Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 4.2% (10th highest)

6. West Virginia

• New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, March 17-23, 2024: 3.7 per 100,000 (65 total)
• COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug. 1, 2020: 2,676 per 100,000 (5th highest)
• COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 509.9 per 100,000 (2nd highest)
• Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 3.4% (13th lowest)

5. Louisiana

• New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, March 17-23, 2024: 3.8 per 100,000 (174 total)
• COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug. 1, 2020: 2,240 per 100,000 (13th highest)
• COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 396.7 per 100,000 (14th highest)
• Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 4.7% (the highest)

4. Alabama

• New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, March 17-23, 2024: 3.9 per 100,000 (197 total)
• COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug. 1, 2020: 2,527 per 100,000 (6th highest)
• COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 455.6 per 100,000 (6th highest)
• Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 4.0% (14th highest)

3. Arkansas

• New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, March 17-23, 2024: 4.0 per 100,000 (121 total)
• COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug. 1, 2020: 2,395 per 100,000 (8th highest)
• COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 427.3 per 100,000 (9th highest)
• Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 4.7% (the highest)

2. Virginia

• New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, March 17-23, 2024: 4.1 per 100,000 (359 total)
• COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug. 1, 2020: 1,580 per 100,000 (11th lowest)
• COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 286.8 per 100,000 (10th lowest)
• Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 3.4% (13th lowest)

1. Hawaii

• New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, March 17-23, 2024: 4.8 per 100,000 (69 total)
• COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug. 1, 2020: 1,542 per 100,000 (10th lowest)
• COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 144.8 per 100,000 (the lowest)
• Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 4.0% (14th highest)