This Is the State With the Worst COVID-19 Surge Right Now

Americans may be done with the COVID pandemic, but the COVID pandemic isn't done with Americans. Parts of the country are seeing a surge in COVID cases, hospitalizations, and deaths, and some states are seeing higher levels than others.

According to the Centers for Disease Control's COVID Data Tracker, nationwide indicators are tracking up. In the past week, test positivity is at 12.6 percent, up 1.2 percent in the past week; and the weekly percentage of COVID-related emergency room visits is at 1.6 percent, up 15.7 percent from the previous week. The percent change in deaths in the past week has remained the same, but it is a lagging indicator. 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 high level, up from 1.7 to 6.29 in the past month alone.

As the data makes clear, a summer surge is underway. If you aren't vaccinated or haven't received the most recent booster, it's recommended that you do so, especially if you are elderly or immunocompromised. And even if you aren't, it's a good idea to stay cautious and consider wearing a mask in crowded spaces. And if you test positive, even if your symptoms are minor, wear a mask around others or avoid them entirely, because you don't want to get them sick, too.

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 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 visits 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)