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

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

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The CDC is actively monitoring a recently identified COVID-19 variant named JN.1, which is increasingly becoming a predominant factor in infections. According to the agency’s assessment, this variant is projected to represent as much as 29% of infections across the country, a notable increase from the 8.8% reported at the conclusion of November.

In the latest reporting period, COVID-19 hospitalizations surged to their highest point in almost a decade, as indicated by data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. While there was a slight decrease in test positivity, the impending Christmas season raises concerns about the potential for family gatherings to exacerbate the spread of the pandemic. (Click here for 30 famous people who died from COVID.)

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 CDC. States were ranked based on the number of new hospital admissions due to COVID-19 per 100,000 state residents for the week of Dec. 3-9, 2023. 

The seven-day moving average of nationwide hospital admissions increased by 3.1% to 23,432 for the reporting period ending on December 9 compared to the previous week, marking the highest weekly total since February 25.

During the same week, the test positivity rate declined by 0.4% to 11.0%. For the fourth consecutive week, West Virginia recorded the highest rate of new COVID-19-related hospital admissions per 100,000 state residents, with a rate of 15.9. This was a decrease of 1.6 percentage points from the previous week. Notably, West Virginia was one of six states with the highest number of new hospital admissions in the current reporting period that were also high in the preceding period.

According to the CDC, infection rates for COVID-19, influenza, and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) are lower than last year’s levels. The agency suggests that illnesses have started later, indicating that peak respiratory illness levels have not been reached. The CDC reports a significant increase in COVID-19 cases at nursing homes, particularly in the Midwest.

50. Alaska

Source: John Pennell / iStock via Getty Images

Source: John Pennell / iStock via Getty Images
  • New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, Dec. 3-9, 2023: 2.6 per 100,000 (19 total)
  • COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug. 1, 2020: 1,369.2 per 100,000 (6th lowest)
  • COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 210.9 per 100,000 (5th lowest)
  • Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 8.0% (23rd lowest)

49. Georgia

Source: JENNIFER E. WOLF / iStock Editorial via Getty Images

Source: JENNIFER E. WOLF / iStock Editorial via Getty Images
  • New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, Dec. 3-9, 2023: 3.3 per 100,000 (356 total)
  • COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug. 1, 2020: 2,241.1 per 100,000 (9th highest)
  • COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 335.9 per 100,000 (20th lowest)
  • Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 7.1% (14th lowest)

48. Washington

Source: RyanJLane / E+ via Getty Images

Source: RyanJLane / E+ via Getty Images
  • New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, Dec. 3-9, 2023: 3.9 per 100,000 (301 total)
  • COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug. 1, 2020: 1,036.1 per 100,000 (the lowest)
  • COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 198.5 per 100,000 (4th lowest)
  • Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 8.0% (23rd lowest)

47. Florida

Source: THEPALMER / E+ via Getty Images

Source: THEPALMER / E+ via Getty Images
  • New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, Dec. 3-9, 2023: 3.9 per 100,000 (863 total)
  • COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug. 1, 2020: 2,628.0 per 100,000 (4th highest)
  • COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 365.8 per 100,000 (23rd highest)
  • Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 7.1% (14th lowest)

46. Louisiana

Source: Mario Tama / Getty Images News via Getty Images

Source: Mario Tama / Getty Images News via Getty Images
  • New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, Dec. 3-9, 2023: 4.0 per 100,000 (185 total)
  • COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug. 1, 2020: 2,140.0 per 100,000 (14th highest)
  • COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 389.4 per 100,000 (14th highest)
  • Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 7.4% (19th lowest)

45. Mississippi

Source: Spencer Platt / Getty Images News via Getty Images

Source: Spencer Platt / Getty Images News via Getty Images
  • New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, Dec. 3-9, 2023: 4.1 per 100,000 (122 total)
  • COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug. 1, 2020: 1,941.7 per 100,000 (25th highest)
  • COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 512.8 per 100,000 (the highest)
  • Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 7.1% (14th lowest)

44. South Carolina

South Carolina | Charleston south Carolina
Source: SeanPavonePhoto / iStock via Getty Images

Charleston, South Carolina, USA in the French Quarter.

Source: SeanPavonePhoto / iStock via Getty Images
  • New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, Dec. 3-9, 2023: 4.6 per 100,000 (241 total)
  • COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug. 1, 2020: 1,859.6 per 100,000 (20th lowest)
  • COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 409.3 per 100,000 (12th highest)
  • Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 7.1% (14th lowest)

43. Rhode Island

Source: Maddie Meyer / Getty Images News via Getty Images

Source: Maddie Meyer / Getty Images News via Getty Images
  • New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, Dec. 3-9, 2023: 4.7 per 100,000 (51 total)
  • COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug. 1, 2020: 1,264.2 per 100,000 (5th lowest)
  • COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 369.7 per 100,000 (21st highest)
  • Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 10.6% (16th highest)

42. Texas

Source: Richard McMillin / iStock Editorial via Getty Images

Source: Richard McMillin / iStock Editorial via Getty Images
  • New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, Dec. 3-9, 2023: 4.7 per 100,000 (1,412 total)
  • COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug. 1, 2020: 2,081.7 per 100,000 (16th highest)
  • COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 344.2 per 100,000 (22nd lowest)
  • Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 7.4% (19th lowest)

41. Oregon

Source: egexplorer / iStock Editorial via Getty Images

Source: egexplorer / iStock Editorial via Getty Images
  • New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, Dec. 3-9, 2023: 4.8 per 100,000 (203 total)
  • COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug. 1, 2020: 1,162.1 per 100,000 (4th lowest)
  • COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 225.8 per 100,000 (6th lowest)
  • Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 8.0% (23rd lowest)

40. Tennessee

Source: Nicholas Nace / iStock Editorial via Getty Images

Source: Nicholas Nace / iStock Editorial via Getty Images
  • New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, Dec. 3-9, 2023: 5.1 per 100,000 (359 total)
  • COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug. 1, 2020: 1,910.4 per 100,000 (24th lowest)
  • COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 413.9 per 100,000 (11th highest)
  • Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 7.1% (14th lowest)

39. North Carolina

North Carolina National Guard by The National Guard
Source: thenationalguard / Flickr

North Carolina National Guard (CC BY 2.0) by The National Guard
  • New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, Dec. 3-9, 2023: 5.2 per 100,000 (553 total)
  • COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug. 1, 2020: 1,630.3 per 100,000 (16th lowest)
  • COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 323.6 per 100,000 (18th lowest)
  • Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 7.1% (14th lowest)

38. New Mexico

Source: Sharon Chischilly / Getty Images News via Getty Images

Source: Sharon Chischilly / Getty Images News via Getty Images
  • New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, Dec. 3-9, 2023: 5.3 per 100,000 (113 total)
  • COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug. 1, 2020: 1,894.1 per 100,000 (22nd lowest)
  • COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 448.7 per 100,000 (5th highest)
  • Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 7.4% (19th lowest)

37. Arizona

Source: Courtney Pedroza / Getty Images News via Getty Images

Source: Courtney Pedroza / Getty Images News via Getty Images
  • New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, Dec. 3-9, 2023: 5.8 per 100,000 (427 total)
  • COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug. 1, 2020: 2,159.2 per 100,000 (13th highest)
  • COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 408.8 per 100,000 (13th highest)
  • Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 6.9% (6th lowest)

36. Hawaii

COVID... by Daniel Ramirez from Honolulu, USA
Source: Daniel Ramirez from Honolulu, USA / Wikimedia Commons

COVID… (CC BY 2.0) by Daniel Ramirez from Honolulu, USA
  • New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, Dec. 3-9, 2023: 5.8 per 100,000 (84 total)
  • COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug. 1, 2020: 1,444.0 per 100,000 (8th lowest)
  • COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 141.3 per 100,000 (the lowest)
  • Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 6.9% (6th lowest)

35. Nevada

Source: StoopDown / iStock Editorial via Getty Images

Source: StoopDown / iStock Editorial via Getty Images
  • New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, Dec. 3-9, 2023: 6.1 per 100,000 (193 total)
  • COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug. 1, 2020: 2,078.1 per 100,000 (17th highest)
  • COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 379.4 per 100,000 (18th highest)
  • Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 6.9% (6th lowest)

34. California

Source: halbergman / E+ via Getty Images

Source: halbergman / E+ via Getty Images
  • New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, Dec. 3-9, 2023: 6.3 per 100,000 (2,449 total)
  • COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug. 1, 2020: 1,629.8 per 100,000 (15th lowest)
  • COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 283.1 per 100,000 (12th lowest)
  • Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 6.9% (6th lowest)

33. Delaware

Delaware National Guard by The National Guard
Source: thenationalguard / Flickr

Delaware National Guard (CC BY 2.0) by The National Guard
  • New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, Dec. 3-9, 2023: 6.3 per 100,000 (64 total)
  • COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug. 1, 2020: 2,045.6 per 100,000 (18th highest)
  • COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 345.7 per 100,000 (23rd lowest)
  • Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 10.7% (11th highest)

32. Alabama

Source: Jacqueline Nix / iStock Editorial via Getty Images

Source: Jacqueline Nix / iStock Editorial via Getty Images
  • New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, Dec. 3-9, 2023: 6.3 per 100,000 (320 total)
  • COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug. 1, 2020: 2,413.1 per 100,000 (6th highest)
  • COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 446.2 per 100,000 (6th highest)
  • Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 7.1% (14th lowest)

31. Virginia

Source: Grandbrothers / iStock Editorial via Getty Images

Source: Grandbrothers / iStock Editorial via Getty Images
  • New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, Dec. 3-9, 2023: 6.6 per 100,000 (573 total)
  • COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug. 1, 2020: 1,468.2 per 100,000 (11th lowest)
  • COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 277.5 per 100,000 (10th lowest)
  • Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 10.7% (11th highest)

30. New Jersey

Source: Arturo Homes/Getty Images / Photodisc via Getty Images

Source: Arturo Homes/Getty Images / Photodisc via Getty Images
  • New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, Dec. 3-9, 2023: 6.7 per 100,000 (623 total)
  • COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug. 1, 2020: 1,936.8 per 100,000 (25th lowest)
  • COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 386.4 per 100,000 (15th highest)
  • Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 6.8% (2nd lowest)

29. Utah

Source: RichVintage / E+ via Getty Images

Source: RichVintage / E+ via Getty Images
  • New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, Dec. 3-9, 2023: 6.9 per 100,000 (232 total)
  • COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug. 1, 2020: 1,450.1 per 100,000 (10th lowest)
  • COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 166.2 per 100,000 (2nd lowest)
  • Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 10.4% (22nd highest)

28. New Hampshire

Source: Scott Eisen / Getty Images News via Getty Images

Source: Scott Eisen / Getty Images News via Getty Images
  • New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, Dec. 3-9, 2023: 7.0 per 100,000 (97 total)
  • COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug. 1, 2020: 1,375.4 per 100,000 (7th lowest)
  • COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 242.3 per 100,000 (7th lowest)
  • Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 10.6% (16th highest)

27. Maryland

Source: Grandbrothers / iStock via Getty Images

Source: Grandbrothers / iStock via Getty Images
  • New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, Dec. 3-9, 2023: 7.0 per 100,000 (432 total)
  • COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug. 1, 2020: 1,621.9 per 100,000 (14th lowest)
  • COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 300.4 per 100,000 (16th lowest)
  • Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 10.7% (11th highest)

26. Vermont

Source: vermontalm / iStock via Getty Images

Source: vermontalm / iStock via Getty Images
  • New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, Dec. 3-9, 2023: 7.1 per 100,000 (46 total)
  • COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug. 1, 2020: 1,048.6 per 100,000 (2nd lowest)
  • COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 168.1 per 100,000 (3rd lowest)
  • Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 10.6% (16th highest)

25. Minnesota

Source: Alex Lupu / iStock via Getty Images

Source: Alex Lupu / iStock via Getty Images
  • New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, Dec. 3-9, 2023: 7.9 per 100,000 (449 total)
  • COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug. 1, 2020: 1,448.0 per 100,000 (9th lowest)
  • COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 278.8 per 100,000 (11th lowest)
  • Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 13.9% (5th highest)

24. Colorado

Colorado COVID-19 by Mobilus In Mobili
Source: mobili / Flickr

Colorado COVID-19 (CC BY-SA 2.0) by Mobilus In Mobili
  • New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, Dec. 3-9, 2023: 8.0 per 100,000 (467 total)
  • COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug. 1, 2020: 1,750.6 per 100,000 (18th lowest)
  • COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 262.3 per 100,000 (9th lowest)
  • Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 10.4% (22nd highest)

23. Idaho

Idaho National Guard by The National Guard
Source: The National Guard / Flickr

Idaho National Guard (CC BY 2.0) by The National Guard
  • New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, Dec. 3-9, 2023: 8.5 per 100,000 (164 total)
  • COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug. 1, 2020: 1,502.1 per 100,000 (12th lowest)
  • COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 289.4 per 100,000 (13th lowest)
  • Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 8.0% (23rd lowest)

22. Arkansas

Arkansas National Guard by The National Guard
Source: thenationalguard / Flickr

Arkansas National Guard (CC BY 2.0) by The National Guard
  • New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, Dec. 3-9, 2023: 8.5 per 100,000 (259 total)
  • COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug. 1, 2020: 2,286.1 per 100,000 (8th highest)
  • COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 417.9 per 100,000 (9th highest)
  • Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 7.4% (19th lowest)

21. Maine

Source: DmitryPepper / iStock Editorial via Getty Images

Source: DmitryPepper / iStock Editorial via Getty Images
  • New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, Dec. 3-9, 2023: 8.5 per 100,000 (118 total)
  • COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug. 1, 2020: 1,150.8 per 100,000 (3rd lowest)
  • COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 246.0 per 100,000 (8th lowest)
  • Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 10.6% (16th highest)

20. Massachusetts

Source: HelleNiko / iStock via Getty Images

Source: HelleNiko / iStock via Getty Images
  • New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, Dec. 3-9, 2023: 8.6 per 100,000 (598 total)
  • COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug. 1, 2020: 1,578.7 per 100,000 (13th lowest)
  • COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 306.7 per 100,000 (17th lowest)
  • Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 10.6% (16th highest)

19. Pennsylvania

Source: Alex Potemkin / iStock via Getty Images

Source: Alex Potemkin / iStock via Getty Images
  • New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, Dec. 3-9, 2023: 8.6 per 100,000 (1,120 total)
  • COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug. 1, 2020: 1,967.9 per 100,000 (24th highest)
  • COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 414.0 per 100,000 (10th highest)
  • Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 10.7% (11th highest)

18. New York

Source: Leo Cunha Media / iStock via Getty Images

Source: Leo Cunha Media / iStock via Getty Images
  • New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, Dec. 3-9, 2023: 8.7 per 100,000 (1,717 total)
  • COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug. 1, 2020: 2,002.8 per 100,000 (22nd highest)
  • COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 418.7 per 100,000 (8th highest)
  • Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 6.8% (2nd lowest)

17. Connecticut

Source: JasonOndreicka / iStock via Getty Images

Source: JasonOndreicka / iStock via Getty Images
  • New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, Dec. 3-9, 2023: 9.1 per 100,000 (329 total)
  • COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug. 1, 2020: 1,874.2 per 100,000 (21st lowest)
  • COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 345.8 per 100,000 (24th lowest)
  • Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 10.6% (16th highest)

16. North Dakota

North Dakota National Guard by The National Guard
Source: thenationalguard / Flickr

North Dakota National Guard (CC BY 2.0) by The National Guard
  • New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, Dec. 3-9, 2023: 9.2 per 100,000 (72 total)
  • COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug. 1, 2020: 2,022.3 per 100,000 (20th highest)
  • COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 343.7 per 100,000 (21st lowest)
  • Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 10.4% (22nd highest)

15. Oklahoma

Oklahoma National Guard by The National Guard
Source: thenationalguard / Flickr

Oklahoma National Guard (CC BY 2.0) by The National Guard
  • New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, Dec. 3-9, 2023: 9.3 per 100,000 (375 total)
  • COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug. 1, 2020: 2,803.6 per 100,000 (2nd highest)
  • COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 493.2 per 100,000 (3rd highest)
  • Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 7.4% (19th lowest)

14. Kansas

Source: Brian Davidson / Getty Images Sport via Getty Images

Source: Brian Davidson / Getty Images Sport via Getty Images
  • New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, Dec. 3-9, 2023: 9.4 per 100,000 (276 total)
  • COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug. 1, 2020: 2,022.2 per 100,000 (21st highest)
  • COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 366.2 per 100,000 (22nd highest)
  • Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 17.2% (the highest)

13. Wisconsin

Source: Ben Mayer / iStock via Getty Images

Source: Ben Mayer / iStock via Getty Images
  • New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, Dec. 3-9, 2023: 9.4 per 100,000 (556 total)
  • COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug. 1, 2020: 2,231.5 per 100,000 (10th highest)
  • COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 296.1 per 100,000 (14th lowest)
  • Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 13.9% (5th highest)

12. Michigan

Broadway Theatre - Mt. Pleasan... by Dan Gaken
Source: dgaken / Flickr

Broadway Theatre – Mt. Pleasan… (CC BY 2.0) by Dan Gaken
  • New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, Dec. 3-9, 2023: 9.8 per 100,000 (980 total)
  • COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug. 1, 2020: 1,999.0 per 100,000 (23rd highest)
  • COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 381.9 per 100,000 (17th highest)
  • Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 13.9% (5th highest)

11. Ohio

Source: PapaBear / iStock Editorial via Getty Images

Source: PapaBear / iStock Editorial via Getty Images
  • New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, Dec. 3-9, 2023: 9.9 per 100,000 (1,165 total)
  • COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug. 1, 2020: 2,302.7 per 100,000 (7th highest)
  • COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 429.8 per 100,000 (7th highest)
  • Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 13.9% (5th highest)

10. Illinois

Source: Scott Olson / Getty Images News via Getty Images

Source: Scott Olson / Getty Images News via Getty Images
  • New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, Dec. 3-9, 2023: 9.9 per 100,000 (1,251 total)
  • COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug. 1, 2020: 1,902.6 per 100,000 (23rd lowest)
  • COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 325.8 per 100,000 (19th lowest)
  • Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 13.9% (5th highest)

9. Montana

Source: Al Knauber / iStock Editorial via Getty Images

Source: Al Knauber / iStock Editorial via Getty Images
  • New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, Dec. 3-9, 2023: 10.2 per 100,000 (114 total)
  • COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug. 1, 2020: 2,786.5 per 100,000 (3rd highest)
  • COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 351.4 per 100,000 (25th lowest)
  • Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 10.4% (22nd highest)

8. Nebraska

DFAC feeds Airmen during COVID... by Offutt Air Force Base
Source: offutt_afb / Flickr

DFAC feeds Airmen during COVID… (CC BY 2.0) by Offutt Air Force Base
  • New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, Dec. 3-9, 2023: 10.6 per 100,000 (208 total)
  • COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug. 1, 2020: 1,682.9 per 100,000 (17th lowest)
  • COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 297.9 per 100,000 (15th lowest)
  • Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 17.2% (the highest)

7. Kentucky

Source: Jason Whitman / iStock Editorial via Getty Images

Source: Jason Whitman / iStock Editorial via Getty Images
  • New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, Dec. 3-9, 2023: 10.6 per 100,000 (479 total)
  • COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug. 1, 2020: 3,545.6 per 100,000 (the highest)
  • COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 452.5 per 100,000 (4th highest)
  • Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 7.1% (14th lowest)

6. Iowa

Iowa City during Covid-19 by Alan Light
Source: alan-light / Flickr

Iowa City during Covid-19 (CC BY 2.0) by Alan Light
  • New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, Dec. 3-9, 2023: 10.8 per 100,000 (345 total)
  • COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug. 1, 2020: 1,771.0 per 100,000 (19th lowest)
  • COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 353.7 per 100,000 (25th highest)
  • Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 17.2% (the highest)

5. Wyoming

Source: Melissa Kopka / iStock via Getty Images

Source: Melissa Kopka / iStock via Getty Images
  • New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, Dec. 3-9, 2023: 11.0 per 100,000 (64 total)
  • COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug. 1, 2020: 2,039.5 per 100,000 (19th highest)
  • COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 376.2 per 100,000 (19th highest)
  • Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 10.4% (22nd highest)

4. South Dakota

Source: Saturated / iStock via Getty Images

Source: Saturated / iStock via Getty Images
  • New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, Dec. 3-9, 2023: 11.3 per 100,000 (103 total)
  • COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug. 1, 2020: 2,220.3 per 100,000 (11th highest)
  • COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 365.8 per 100,000 (24th highest)
  • Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 10.4% (22nd highest)

3. Missouri

Source: Lana2011 / iStock via Getty Images

Source: Lana2011 / iStock via Getty Images
  • New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, Dec. 3-9, 2023: 11.4 per 100,000 (703 total)
  • COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug. 1, 2020: 2,203.9 per 100,000 (12th highest)
  • COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 370.6 per 100,000 (20th highest)
  • Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 17.2% (the highest)

2. Indiana

Source: wanderluster / E+ via Getty Images

Source: wanderluster / E+ via Getty Images
  • New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, Dec. 3-9, 2023: 11.7 per 100,000 (802 total)
  • COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug. 1, 2020: 2,112.3 per 100,000 (15th highest)
  • COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 386.2 per 100,000 (16th highest)
  • Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 13.9% (5th highest)

1. West Virginia

West Virginia National Guard by The National Guard
Source: thenationalguard / Flickr

West Virginia National Guard (CC BY 2.0) by The National Guard
  • New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, Dec. 3-9, 2023: 15.9 per 100,000 (283 total)
  • COVID-19 hospital admissions since Aug. 1, 2020: 2,528.0 per 100,000 (5th highest)
  • COVID-19 deaths since January 2020: 497.4 per 100,000 (2nd highest)
  • Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 10.7% (11th highest)
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