Since the beginning of the pandemic more than three years ago, health professionals have observed the emergence of a number of notable variants, each posing new challenges in containing the virus.
The wave of new COVID-19 cases across the U.S., involving two new variants – mostly the one dubbed EG.5 – is no exception, but there are indications that the surge they’re responsible for may already be showing signs of subsiding at least a bit.
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 Sept. 10-16, 2023.
The seven-day moving average of daily new cases was just under 20,000 on Sept. 16, in line with the number recorded in the week ending on Sept. 9, according to CDC data. The good news is that the rate of positive test results has decreased, albeit slightly, from 14.3% to 12.5%. (As has been the case since the beginning of the pandemic, the actual number of infections may be higher due to the prevalence of at-home tests that go unreported.)
There are still clear regional divides in the prevalence of new cases, and in most cases they have not changed much since the previous week. Generally, Southern states are still dealing with the highest new weekly COVID-19 hospitalization admission rates, with Florida and Arkansas again topping the list for new weekly admissions per capita, followed closely by West Virginia. (Florida has 12 entries on our list of 25 American vacation destinations emerging as COVID hotspots.)
One notable exception is Louisiana, which was No. 3 last week for highest number of hospital admissions, but dropped to No. 14 this week.
As colder temperatures draw near and immunity gradually diminishes, health authorities caution that the increase in cases may persist throughout the fall and winter seasons. They emphasize the importance of vaccinations – the latest vaccine has just been approved for use – and the adoption of measures such as wearing masks indoors to reduce the virus’s transmission. (These are the states with the most health-conscious residents.)
Methodology
To determine how bad COVID is right now in every state, 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 Sept. 10-16, 2023. 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 Sept. 10-16, 2023 also came from the CDC. 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.
50. New Mexico
> New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, Sept. 10-16, 2023: 2.1 per 100,000 (44 total)
> Avg. COVID-19 hospital admissions rate since Aug. 1, 2020: 1,812.6 per 100,000 (22nd lowest)
> Avg. COVID-19 death rate since January 2020: 442.3 per 100,000 (5th highest)
> Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 14.4% (7th highest)
49. Maine
> New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, Sept. 10-16, 2023: 3.4 per 100,000 (47 total)
> Avg. COVID-19 hospital admissions rate since Aug. 1, 2020: 1,095.6 per 100,000 (3rd lowest)
> Avg. COVID-19 death rate since January 2020: 237.7 per 100,000 (8th lowest)
> Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 11.1% (19th lowest)
48. North Dakota
> New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, Sept. 10-16, 2023: 3.6 per 100,000 (28 total)
> Avg. COVID-19 hospital admissions rate since Aug. 1, 2020: 1,934.1 per 100,000 (21st highest)
> Avg. COVID-19 death rate since January 2020: 339.0 per 100,000 (21st lowest)
> Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 13.8% (16th highest)
47. Minnesota
> New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, Sept. 10-16, 2023: 3.7 per 100,000 (209 total)
> Avg. COVID-19 hospital admissions rate since Aug. 1, 2020: 1,382.4 per 100,000 (9th lowest)
> Avg. COVID-19 death rate since January 2020: 272.2 per 100,000 (10th lowest)
> Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 12.0% (25th lowest)
46. Arizona
> New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, Sept. 10-16, 2023: 3.9 per 100,000 (289 total)
> Avg. COVID-19 hospital admissions rate since Aug. 1, 2020: 2,090.5 per 100,000 (14th highest)
> Avg. COVID-19 death rate since January 2020: 404.1 per 100,000 (13th highest)
> Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 12.1% (22nd highest)
45. Utah
> New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, Sept. 10-16, 2023: 4.0 per 100,000 (134 total)
> Avg. COVID-19 hospital admissions rate since Aug. 1, 2020: 1,392.3 per 100,000 (10th lowest)
> Avg. COVID-19 death rate since January 2020: 163.5 per 100,000 (3rd lowest)
> Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 13.8% (16th highest)
44. Nebraska
> New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, Sept. 10-16, 2023: 4.0 per 100,000 (78 total)
> Avg. COVID-19 hospital admissions rate since Aug. 1, 2020: 1,606.7 per 100,000 (17th lowest)
> Avg. COVID-19 death rate since January 2020: 293.6 per 100,000 (15th lowest)
> Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 15.4% (3rd highest)
43. Vermont
> New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, Sept. 10-16, 2023: 4.0 per 100,000 (26 total)
> Avg. COVID-19 hospital admissions rate since Aug. 1, 2020: 977.6 per 100,000 (the lowest)
> Avg. COVID-19 death rate since January 2020: 159.3 per 100,000 (2nd lowest)
> Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 11.1% (19th lowest)
42. Kansas
> New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, Sept. 10-16, 2023: 4.1 per 100,000 (120 total)
> Avg. COVID-19 hospital admissions rate since Aug. 1, 2020: 1,945.9 per 100,000 (20th highest)
> Avg. COVID-19 death rate since January 2020: 361.0 per 100,000 (22nd highest)
> Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 15.4% (3rd highest)
41. Idaho
> New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, Sept. 10-16, 2023: 4.1 per 100,000 (80 total)
> Avg. COVID-19 hospital admissions rate since Aug. 1, 2020: 1,430.7 per 100,000 (12th lowest)
> Avg. COVID-19 death rate since January 2020: 284.8 per 100,000 (13th lowest)
> Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 13.9% (12th highest)
40. Rhode Island
> New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, Sept. 10-16, 2023: 4.2 per 100,000 (46 total)
> Avg. COVID-19 hospital admissions rate since Aug. 1, 2020: 1,205.0 per 100,000 (5th lowest)
> Avg. COVID-19 death rate since January 2020: 364.9 per 100,000 (20th highest)
> Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 11.1% (19th lowest)
39. Wisconsin
> New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, Sept. 10-16, 2023: 4.2 per 100,000 (249 total)
> Avg. COVID-19 hospital admissions rate since Aug. 1, 2020: 2,149.5 per 100,000 (10th highest)
> Avg. COVID-19 death rate since January 2020: 291.5 per 100,000 (14th lowest)
> Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 12.0% (25th lowest)
38. Wyoming
> New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, Sept. 10-16, 2023: 4.3 per 100,000 (25 total)
> Avg. COVID-19 hospital admissions rate since Aug. 1, 2020: 1,965.3 per 100,000 (19th highest)
> Avg. COVID-19 death rate since January 2020: 369.3 per 100,000 (19th highest)
> Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 13.8% (16th highest)
37. Delaware
> New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, Sept. 10-16, 2023: 4.3 per 100,000 (44 total)
> Avg. COVID-19 hospital admissions rate since Aug. 1, 2020: 1,979.5 per 100,000 (18th highest)
> Avg. COVID-19 death rate since January 2020: 340.0 per 100,000 (22nd lowest)
> Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 7.9% (5th lowest)
36. Indiana
> New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, Sept. 10-16, 2023: 4.3 per 100,000 (296 total)
> Avg. COVID-19 hospital admissions rate since Aug. 1, 2020: 2,044.1 per 100,000 (15th highest)
> Avg. COVID-19 death rate since January 2020: 380.3 per 100,000 (16th highest)
> Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 12.0% (25th lowest)
35. Nevada
> New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, Sept. 10-16, 2023: 4.4 per 100,000 (139 total)
> Avg. COVID-19 hospital admissions rate since Aug. 1, 2020: 2,034.1 per 100,000 (17th highest)
> Avg. COVID-19 death rate since January 2020: 375.8 per 100,000 (18th highest)
> Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 12.1% (22nd highest)
34. Maryland
> New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, Sept. 10-16, 2023: 4.4 per 100,000 (274 total)
> Avg. COVID-19 hospital admissions rate since Aug. 1, 2020: 1,560.5 per 100,000 (14th lowest)
> Avg. COVID-19 death rate since January 2020: 294.6 per 100,000 (16th lowest)
> Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 7.9% (5th lowest)
33. Washington
> New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, Sept. 10-16, 2023: 4.5 per 100,000 (351 total)
> Avg. COVID-19 hospital admissions rate since Aug. 1, 2020: 990.7 per 100,000 (2nd lowest)
> Avg. COVID-19 death rate since January 2020: 193.9 per 100,000 (4th lowest)
> Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 13.9% (12th highest)
32. Michigan
> New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, Sept. 10-16, 2023: 4.6 per 100,000 (458 total)
> Avg. COVID-19 hospital admissions rate since Aug. 1, 2020: 1,924.7 per 100,000 (22nd highest)
> Avg. COVID-19 death rate since January 2020: 376.6 per 100,000 (17th highest)
> Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 12.0% (25th lowest)
31. Oklahoma
> New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, Sept. 10-16, 2023: 4.7 per 100,000 (187 total)
> Avg. COVID-19 hospital admissions rate since Aug. 1, 2020: 2,740.6 per 100,000 (2nd highest)
> Avg. COVID-19 death rate since January 2020: 486.8 per 100,000 (3rd highest)
> Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 14.4% (7th highest)
30. New Jersey
> New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, Sept. 10-16, 2023: 4.8 per 100,000 (441 total)
> Avg. COVID-19 hospital admissions rate since Aug. 1, 2020: 1,867.4 per 100,000 (25th lowest)
> Avg. COVID-19 death rate since January 2020: 382.0 per 100,000 (15th highest)
> Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 16.1% (the highest)
29. Pennsylvania
> New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, Sept. 10-16, 2023: 4.8 per 100,000 (621 total)
> Avg. COVID-19 hospital admissions rate since Aug. 1, 2020: 1,895.1 per 100,000 (25th highest)
> Avg. COVID-19 death rate since January 2020: 407.0 per 100,000 (11th highest)
> Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 7.9% (5th lowest)
28. Iowa
> New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, Sept. 10-16, 2023: 4.8 per 100,000 (155 total)
> Avg. COVID-19 hospital admissions rate since Aug. 1, 2020: 1,702.1 per 100,000 (19th lowest)
> Avg. COVID-19 death rate since January 2020: 347.9 per 100,000 (25th highest)
> Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 15.4% (3rd highest)
27. Alaska
> New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, Sept. 10-16, 2023: 4.9 per 100,000 (36 total)
> Avg. COVID-19 hospital admissions rate since Aug. 1, 2020: 1,332.8 per 100,000 (7th lowest)
> Avg. COVID-19 death rate since January 2020: 207.2 per 100,000 (5th lowest)
> Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 13.9% (12th highest)
26. South Dakota
> New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, Sept. 10-16, 2023: 5.1 per 100,000 (46 total)
> Avg. COVID-19 hospital admissions rate since Aug. 1, 2020: 2,117.9 per 100,000 (12th highest)
> Avg. COVID-19 death rate since January 2020: 360.4 per 100,000 (24th highest)
> Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 13.8% (16th highest)
25. Colorado
> New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, Sept. 10-16, 2023: 5.1 per 100,000 (298 total)
> Avg. COVID-19 hospital admissions rate since Aug. 1, 2020: 1,663.2 per 100,000 (18th lowest)
> Avg. COVID-19 death rate since January 2020: 256.8 per 100,000 (9th lowest)
> Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 13.8% (16th highest)
24. Virginia
> New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, Sept. 10-16, 2023: 5.1 per 100,000 (444 total)
> Avg. COVID-19 hospital admissions rate since Aug. 1, 2020: 1,403.6 per 100,000 (11th lowest)
> Avg. COVID-19 death rate since January 2020: 272.3 per 100,000 (11th lowest)
> Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 7.9% (5th lowest)
23. Tennessee
> New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, Sept. 10-16, 2023: 5.2 per 100,000 (364 total)
> Avg. COVID-19 hospital admissions rate since Aug. 1, 2020: 1,858.6 per 100,000 (24th lowest)
> Avg. COVID-19 death rate since January 2020: 408.0 per 100,000 (10th highest)
> Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 10.9% (13th lowest)
22. Illinois
> New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, Sept. 10-16, 2023: 5.3 per 100,000 (671 total)
> Avg. COVID-19 hospital admissions rate since Aug. 1, 2020: 1,827.8 per 100,000 (23rd lowest)
> Avg. COVID-19 death rate since January 2020: 321.2 per 100,000 (19th lowest)
> Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 12.0% (25th lowest)
21. Mississippi
> New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, Sept. 10-16, 2023: 5.4 per 100,000 (159 total)
> Avg. COVID-19 hospital admissions rate since Aug. 1, 2020: 1,904.6 per 100,000 (24th highest)
> Avg. COVID-19 death rate since January 2020: 505.6 per 100,000 (the highest)
> Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 10.9% (13th lowest)
20. New Hampshire
> New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, Sept. 10-16, 2023: 5.4 per 100,000 (76 total)
> Avg. COVID-19 hospital admissions rate since Aug. 1, 2020: 1,306.7 per 100,000 (6th lowest)
> Avg. COVID-19 death rate since January 2020: 236.2 per 100,000 (7th lowest)
> Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 11.1% (19th lowest)
19. Georgia
> New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, Sept. 10-16, 2023: 5.5 per 100,000 (598 total)
> Avg. COVID-19 hospital admissions rate since Aug. 1, 2020: 2,200.3 per 100,000 (9th highest)
> Avg. COVID-19 death rate since January 2020: 332.2 per 100,000 (20th lowest)
> Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 10.9% (13th lowest)
18. Ohio
> New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, Sept. 10-16, 2023: 5.6 per 100,000 (655 total)
> Avg. COVID-19 hospital admissions rate since Aug. 1, 2020: 2,222.9 per 100,000 (7th highest)
> Avg. COVID-19 death rate since January 2020: 423.6 per 100,000 (7th highest)
> Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 12.0% (25th lowest)
17. North Carolina
> New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, Sept. 10-16, 2023: 5.7 per 100,000 (607 total)
> Avg. COVID-19 hospital admissions rate since Aug. 1, 2020: 1,578.0 per 100,000 (16th lowest)
> Avg. COVID-19 death rate since January 2020: 317.6 per 100,000 (18th lowest)
> Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 10.9% (13th lowest)
16. Oregon
> New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, Sept. 10-16, 2023: 5.8 per 100,000 (245 total)
> Avg. COVID-19 hospital admissions rate since Aug. 1, 2020: 1,097.4 per 100,000 (4th lowest)
> Avg. COVID-19 death rate since January 2020: 219.6 per 100,000 (6th lowest)
> Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 13.9% (12th highest)
15. Connecticut
> New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, Sept. 10-16, 2023: 5.8 per 100,000 (211 total)
> Avg. COVID-19 hospital admissions rate since Aug. 1, 2020: 1,790.6 per 100,000 (20th lowest)
> Avg. COVID-19 death rate since January 2020: 340.2 per 100,000 (23rd lowest)
> Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 11.1% (19th lowest)
14. Louisiana
> New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, Sept. 10-16, 2023: 6.0 per 100,000 (274 total)
> Avg. COVID-19 hospital admissions rate since Aug. 1, 2020: 2,096.7 per 100,000 (13th highest)
> Avg. COVID-19 death rate since January 2020: 385.8 per 100,000 (14th highest)
> Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 14.4% (7th highest)
13. Texas
> New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, Sept. 10-16, 2023: 6.2 per 100,000 (1,852 total)
> Avg. COVID-19 hospital admissions rate since Aug. 1, 2020: 2,034.6 per 100,000 (16th highest)
> Avg. COVID-19 death rate since January 2020: 341.1 per 100,000 (24th lowest)
> Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 14.4% (7th highest)
12. Hawaii
> New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, Sept. 10-16, 2023: 6.3 per 100,000 (91 total)
> Avg. COVID-19 hospital admissions rate since Aug. 1, 2020: 1,362.6 per 100,000 (8th lowest)
> Avg. COVID-19 death rate since January 2020: 136.5 per 100,000 (the lowest)
> Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 12.1% (22nd highest)
11. Massachusetts
> New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, Sept. 10-16, 2023: 6.5 per 100,000 (456 total)
> Avg. COVID-19 hospital admissions rate since Aug. 1, 2020: 1,493.9 per 100,000 (13th lowest)
> Avg. COVID-19 death rate since January 2020: 300.7 per 100,000 (17th lowest)
> Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 11.1% (19th lowest)
10. Alabama
> New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, Sept. 10-16, 2023: 6.7 per 100,000 (338 total)
> Avg. COVID-19 hospital admissions rate since Aug. 1, 2020: 2,313.6 per 100,000 (6th highest)
> Avg. COVID-19 death rate since January 2020: 441.9 per 100,000 (6th highest)
> Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 10.9% (13th lowest)
9. California
> New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, Sept. 10-16, 2023: 6.8 per 100,000 (2,639 total)
> Avg. COVID-19 hospital admissions rate since Aug. 1, 2020: 1,568.1 per 100,000 (15th lowest)
> Avg. COVID-19 death rate since January 2020: 279.6 per 100,000 (12th lowest)
> Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 12.1% (22nd highest)
8. South Carolina
> New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, Sept. 10-16, 2023: 6.8 per 100,000 (359 total)
> Avg. COVID-19 hospital admissions rate since Aug. 1, 2020: 1,804.7 per 100,000 (21st lowest)
> Avg. COVID-19 death rate since January 2020: 404.1 per 100,000 (12th highest)
> Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 10.9% (13th lowest)
7. Kentucky
> New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, Sept. 10-16, 2023: 7.1 per 100,000 (319 total)
> Avg. COVID-19 hospital admissions rate since Aug. 1, 2020: 3,459.4 per 100,000 (the highest)
> Avg. COVID-19 death rate since January 2020: 443.7 per 100,000 (4th highest)
> Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 10.9% (13th lowest)
6. Missouri
> New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, Sept. 10-16, 2023: 7.2 per 100,000 (444 total)
> Avg. COVID-19 hospital admissions rate since Aug. 1, 2020: 2,119.7 per 100,000 (11th highest)
> Avg. COVID-19 death rate since January 2020: 364.5 per 100,000 (21st highest)
> Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 15.4% (3rd highest)
5. New York
> New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, Sept. 10-16, 2023: 7.5 per 100,000 (1,476 total)
> Avg. COVID-19 hospital admissions rate since Aug. 1, 2020: 1,919.7 per 100,000 (23rd highest)
> Avg. COVID-19 death rate since January 2020: 413.1 per 100,000 (8th highest)
> Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 16.1% (the highest)
4. Montana
> New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, Sept. 10-16, 2023: 7.7 per 100,000 (87 total)
> Avg. COVID-19 hospital admissions rate since Aug. 1, 2020: 2,686.4 per 100,000 (3rd highest)
> Avg. COVID-19 death rate since January 2020: 345.1 per 100,000 (25th lowest)
> Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 13.8% (16th highest)
3. West Virginia
> New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, Sept. 10-16, 2023: 8.1 per 100,000 (144 total)
> Avg. COVID-19 hospital admissions rate since Aug. 1, 2020: 2,395.8 per 100,000 (5th highest)
> Avg. COVID-19 death rate since January 2020: 488.1 per 100,000 (2nd highest)
> Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 7.9% (5th lowest)
2. Arkansas
> New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, Sept. 10-16, 2023: 8.2 per 100,000 (249 total)
> Avg. COVID-19 hospital admissions rate since Aug. 1, 2020: 2,220.9 per 100,000 (8th highest)
> Avg. COVID-19 death rate since January 2020: 412.9 per 100,000 (9th highest)
> Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 14.4% (7th highest)
1. Florida
> New weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions, Sept. 10-16, 2023: 9.1 per 100,000 (2,022 total)
> Avg. COVID-19 hospital admissions rate since Aug. 1, 2020: 2,574.6 per 100,000 (4th highest)
> Avg. COVID-19 death rate since January 2020: 360.8 per 100,000 (23rd highest)
> Current COVID-19 test positivity rate: 10.9% (13th lowest)