Update: States Where COVID-19 Is the Worst Right Now

Our lengthy relationship with COVID-19 continues to evolve. The National Institutes of Health recently announced that its treatment guidelines for COVID will no longer be updated, and will be available online only until this August. After that, according to an NIH spokesman, medical groups like the Infectious Diseases Society of America and the American College of Physicians will be responsible for issuing updated information on treatment of the disease. Meanwhile, a Japanese pharmaceutical firm is testing a new pill that might be effective against both acute and long COVID.

Speaking of long COVID, a new study by Dr. Rachel Gross of NYU’s Grossman School of Medicine reveals that as many as 5.8 million children and young adults may be suffering from the lingering effects of infection by the virus. We’re obviously not clear of COVID yet.

Nonetheless, according to the latest Gallup probability-based COVID-19 web panel tracking poll, 59% of Americans (but only 41% of registered Democrats) believe that the pandemic is over. At the same time, though, 57% say that their lives have not returned to pre-COVID normality, and 43% don’t think they ever will.

That said, there’s no question that the situation is improving overall across the nation — though some states are still reporting considerably more COVID-related hospital admissions per capita than others. 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 3-9, 2024. (Click here to compare this week’s numbers with last week’s.)

Wyoming continues to be the state with the fewest COVID-19-related hospital admissions per 100,000 residents — though its rate has edged up from 0.7 last week to 1.2 this week.

At the other end of this list, eight of the 10 states with the highest rate of admissions last week are still in the top 10, though their order has shifted. Delaware, with the most admissions previously, has sunk to No. 14, and ninth-place Florida last week is now No. 13. A real hopeful sign, though, is the fact that the state with the most admissions in this latest ranking earns that place with 6.2 admissions per 100,000, while last week’s No. 1, Delaware, had 7.8.

Methodology

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 March 3-9, 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 3-9, 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 to see the states where COVID-19 is the worst right now:

50. Wyoming

• New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, March 3-9, 2024: 1.2 per 100,000 (07 total)
• COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug. 1, 2020: 2,090.7 per 100,000 (23rd highest)
• COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 386.3 per 100,000 (18th highest)
• Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 4.5% (6th lowest)

49. Colorado

• New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, March 3-9, 2024: 2.2 per 100,000 (126 total)
• COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug. 1, 2020: 1,818.4 per 100,000 (18th lowest)
• COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 267.0 per 100,000 (9th lowest)
• Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 4.5% (6th lowest)

48. Idaho

• New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, March 3-9, 2024: 2.2 per 100,000 (42 total)
• COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug. 1, 2020: 1,579.7 per 100,000 (12th lowest)
• COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 295.0 per 100,000 (13th lowest)
• Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 5.7% (9th highest)

47. Arizona

• New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, March 3-9, 2024: 2.5 per 100,000 (185 total)
• COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug. 1, 2020: 2,234.3 per 100,000 (13th highest)
• COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 414.8 per 100,000 (13th highest)
• Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 4.9% (23rd lowest)

46. Maine

• New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, March 3-9, 2024: 2.7 per 100,000 (37 total)
• COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug. 1, 2020: 1,225.7 per 100,000 (4th lowest)
• COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 257.5 per 100,000 (8th lowest)
• Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 4.8% (19th lowest)

45. Vermont

• New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, March 3-9, 2024: 2.8 per 100,000 (18 total)
• COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug. 1, 2020: 1,127.4 per 100,000 (2nd lowest)
• COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 178.3 per 100,000 (3rd lowest)
• Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 4.8% (19th lowest)

44. Nevada

• New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, March 3-9, 2024: 2.8 per 100,000 (89 total)
• COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug. 1, 2020: 2,149.2 per 100,000 (17th highest)
• COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 385.8 per 100,000 (19th highest)
• Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 4.9% (23rd lowest)

43. Rhode Island

• New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, March 3-9, 2024: 2.8 per 100,000 (31 total)
• COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug. 1, 2020: 1,354.0 per 100,000 (5th lowest)
• COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 376.8 per 100,000 (21st highest)
• Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 4.8% (19th lowest)

42. Iowa

• New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, March 3-9, 2024: 2.9 per 100,000 (92 total)
• COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug. 1, 2020: 1,861.7 per 100,000 (19th lowest)
• COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 363.7 per 100,000 (25th highest)
• Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 5.2% (13th highest)

41. Minnesota

• New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, March 3-9, 2024: 2.9 per 100,000 (166 total)
• COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug. 1, 2020: 1,527.4 per 100,000 (9th lowest)
• COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 287.5 per 100,000 (11th lowest)
• Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 5.0% (22nd highest)

40. Massachusetts

• New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, March 3-9, 2024: 2.9 per 100,000 (203 total)
• COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug. 1, 2020: 1,694.9 per 100,000 (13th lowest)
• COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 314.6 per 100,000 (17th lowest)
• Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 4.8% (19th lowest)

39. Washington

• New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, March 3-9, 2024: 2.9 per 100,000 (227 total)
• COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug. 1, 2020: 1,090.2 per 100,000 (the lowest)
• COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 203.8 per 100,000 (4th lowest)
• Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 5.7% (9th highest)

38. Oregon

• New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, March 3-9, 2024: 3.0 per 100,000 (127 total)
• COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug. 1, 2020: 1,223.8 per 100,000 (3rd lowest)
• COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 231.4 per 100,000 (6th lowest)
• Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 5.7% (9th highest)

37. Ohio

• New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, March 3-9, 2024: 3.0 per 100,000 (353 total)
• COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug. 1, 2020: 2,408.9 per 100,000 (7th highest)
• COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 439.2 per 100,000 (7th highest)
• Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 5.0% (22nd highest)

36. California

• New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, March 3-9, 2024: 3.1 per 100,000 (1,199 total)
• COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug. 1, 2020: 1,715.1 per 100,000 (15th lowest)
• COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 288.3 per 100,000 (12th lowest)
• Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 4.9% (23rd lowest)

35. New Mexico

• New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, March 3-9, 2024: 3.3 per 100,000 (69 total)
• COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug. 1, 2020: 1,944.3 per 100,000 (20th lowest)
• COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 457.0 per 100,000 (5th highest)
• Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 5.1% (17th highest)

34. Utah

• New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, March 3-9, 2024: 3.3 per 100,000 (111 total)
• COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug. 1, 2020: 1,510.2 per 100,000 (8th lowest)
• COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 169.6 per 100,000 (2nd lowest)
• Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 4.5% (6th lowest)

33. Indiana

• New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, March 3-9, 2024: 3.5 per 100,000 (238 total)
• COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug. 1, 2020: 2,207.0 per 100,000 (15th highest)
• COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 396.0 per 100,000 (14th highest)
• Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 5.0% (22nd highest)

32. Wisconsin

• New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, March 3-9, 2024: 3.5 per 100,000 (206 total)
• COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug. 1, 2020: 2,326.7 per 100,000 (11th highest)
• COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 304.1 per 100,000 (14th lowest)
• Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 5.0% (22nd highest)

31. New Hampshire

• New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, March 3-9, 2024: 3.7 per 100,000 (51 total)
• COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug. 1, 2020: 1,461.7 per 100,000 (7th lowest)
• COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 250.6 per 100,000 (7th lowest)
• Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 4.8% (19th lowest)

30. Texas

• New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, March 3-9, 2024: 3.7 per 100,000 (1,108 total)
• COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug. 1, 2020: 2,156.5 per 100,000 (16th highest)
• COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 348.8 per 100,000 (21st lowest)
• Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 5.1% (17th highest)

29. Maryland

• New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, March 3-9, 2024: 3.7 per 100,000 (229 total)
• COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug. 1, 2020: 1,700.9 per 100,000 (14th lowest)
• COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 309.1 per 100,000 (16th lowest)
• Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 4.7% (11th lowest)

28. New York

• New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, March 3-9, 2024: 3.8 per 100,000 (756 total)
• COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug. 1, 2020: 2,127.5 per 100,000 (19th highest)
• COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 426.8 per 100,000 (8th highest)
• Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 4.8% (19th lowest)

27. South Dakota

• New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, March 3-9, 2024: 3.8 per 100,000 (35 total)
• COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug. 1, 2020: 2,336.1 per 100,000 (10th highest)
• COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 375.5 per 100,000 (22nd highest)
• Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 4.5% (6th lowest)

26. Pennsylvania

• New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, March 3-9, 2024: 3.9 per 100,000 (503 total)
• COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug. 1, 2020: 2,068.0 per 100,000 (24th highest)
• COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 423.5 per 100,000 (10th highest)
• Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 4.7% (11th lowest)

25. Montana

• New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, March 3-9, 2024: 3.9 per 100,000 (44 total)
• COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug. 1, 2020: 2,866.6 per 100,000 (3rd highest)
• COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 358.3 per 100,000 (25th lowest)
• Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 4.5% (6th lowest)

24. Illinois

• New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, March 3-9, 2024: 4.0 per 100,000 (499 total)
• COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug. 1, 2020: 2,006.6 per 100,000 (24th lowest)
• COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 332.7 per 100,000 (18th lowest)
• Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 5.0% (22nd highest)

23. Alaska

• New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, March 3-9, 2024: 4.1 per 100,000 (30 total)
• COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug. 1, 2020: 1,431.7 per 100,000 (6th lowest)
• COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 214.0 per 100,000 (5th lowest)
• Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 5.7% (9th highest)

22. Kansas

• New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, March 3-9, 2024: 4.1 per 100,000 (121 total)
• COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug. 1, 2020: 2,106.5 per 100,000 (21st highest)
• COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 374.4 per 100,000 (23rd highest)
• Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 5.2% (13th highest)

21. New Jersey

• New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, March 3-9, 2024: 4.2 per 100,000 (390 total)
• COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug. 1, 2020: 2,060.7 per 100,000 (25th highest)
• COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 394.4 per 100,000 (16th highest)
• Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 4.8% (19th lowest)

20. Nebraska

• New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, March 3-9, 2024: 4.2 per 100,000 (83 total)
• COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug. 1, 2020: 1,778.7 per 100,000 (17th lowest)
• COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 306.1 per 100,000 (15th lowest)
• Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 5.2% (13th highest)

19. Mississippi

• New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, March 3-9, 2024: 4.3 per 100,000 (127 total)
• COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug. 1, 2020: 2,011.2 per 100,000 (25th lowest)
• COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 524.3 per 100,000 (the highest)
• Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 7.3% (the highest)

18. Connecticut

• New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, March 3-9, 2024: 4.5 per 100,000 (162 total)
• COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug. 1, 2020: 1,986.6 per 100,000 (22nd lowest)
• COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 353.5 per 100,000 (23rd lowest)
• Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 4.8% (19th lowest)

17. Michigan

• New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, March 3-9, 2024: 4.5 per 100,000 (449 total)
• COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug. 1, 2020: 2,102.1 per 100,000 (22nd highest)
• COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 391.4 per 100,000 (17th highest)
• Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 5.0% (22nd highest)

16. Oklahoma

• New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, March 3-9, 2024: 4.6 per 100,000 (185 total)
• COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug. 1, 2020: 2,897.8 per 100,000 (2nd highest)
• COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 504.9 per 100,000 (3rd highest)
• Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 5.1% (17th highest)

15. North Dakota

• New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, March 3-9, 2024: 4.9 per 100,000 (38 total)
• COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug. 1, 2020: 2,119.2 per 100,000 (20th highest)
• COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 350.5 per 100,000 (22nd lowest)
• Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 4.5% (6th lowest)

14. Delaware

• New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, March 3-9, 2024: 4.9 per 100,000 (50 total)
• COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug. 1, 2020: 2,146.0 per 100,000 (18th highest)
• COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 358.2 per 100,000 (24th lowest)
• Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 4.7% (11th lowest)

13. Florida

• New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, March 3-9, 2024: 5.1 per 100,000 (1,135 total)
• COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug. 1, 2020: 2,728.2 per 100,000 (4th highest)
• COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 372.0 per 100,000 (24th highest)
• Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 7.3% (the highest)

12. Missouri

• New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, March 3-9, 2024: 5.1 per 100,000 (316 total)
• COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug. 1, 2020: 2,319.5 per 100,000 (12th highest)
• COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 378.7 per 100,000 (20th highest)
• Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 5.2% (13th highest)

11. North Carolina

• New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, March 3-9, 2024: 5.1 per 100,000 (548 total)
• COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug. 1, 2020: 1,715.4 per 100,000 (16th lowest)
• COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 332.7 per 100,000 (19th lowest)
• Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 7.3% (the highest)

10. Tennessee

• New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, March 3-9, 2024: 5.2 per 100,000 (367 total)
• COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug. 1, 2020: 1,996.8 per 100,000 (23rd lowest)
• COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 422.9 per 100,000 (11th highest)
• Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 7.3% (the highest)

9. Virginia

• New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, March 3-9, 2024: 5.3 per 100,000 (458 total)
• COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug. 1, 2020: 1,571.6 per 100,000 (11th lowest)
• COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 286.0 per 100,000 (10th lowest)
• Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 4.7% (11th lowest)

8. Hawaii

• New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, March 3-9, 2024: 5.3 per 100,000 (77 total)
• COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug. 1, 2020: 1,532.2 per 100,000 (10th lowest)
• COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 144.4 per 100,000 (the lowest)
• Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 4.9% (23rd lowest)

7. Georgia

• New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, March 3-9, 2024: 5.4 per 100,000 (584 total)
• COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug. 1, 2020: 2,337.8 per 100,000 (9th highest)
• COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 341.7 per 100,000 (20th lowest)
• Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 7.3% (the highest)

6. Louisiana

• New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, March 3-9, 2024: 5.5 per 100,000 (252 total)
• COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug. 1, 2020: 2,231.6 per 100,000 (14th highest)
• COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 396.0 per 100,000 (15th highest)
• Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 5.1% (17th highest)

5. Kentucky

• New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, March 3-9, 2024: 5.6 per 100,000 (251 total)
• COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug. 1, 2020: 3,653.4 per 100,000 (the highest)
• COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 466.9 per 100,000 (4th highest)
• Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 7.3% (the highest)

4. West Virginia

• New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, March 3-9, 2024: 5.6 per 100,000 (99 total)
• COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug. 1, 2020: 2,667.1 per 100,000 (5th highest)
• COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 509.3 per 100,000 (2nd highest)
• Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 4.7% (11th lowest)

3. Arkansas

• New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, March 3-9, 2024: 5.8 per 100,000 (176 total)
• COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug. 1, 2020: 2,387.0 per 100,000 (8th highest)
• COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 426.5 per 100,000 (9th highest)
• Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 5.1% (17th highest)

2. Alabama

• New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, March 3-9, 2024: 6.0 per 100,000 (305 total)
• COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug. 1, 2020: 2,518.3 per 100,000 (6th highest)
• COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 454.4 per 100,000 (6th highest)
• Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 7.3% (the highest)

1. South Carolina

• New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, March 3-9, 2024: 6.2 per 100,000 (328 total)
• COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug. 1, 2020: 1,960.1 per 100,000 (21st lowest)
• COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 418.8 per 100,000 (12th highest)
• Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 7.3% (the highest)