COVID-19 is continuing to expand across the country. From July 7 to July 13, local and state health authorities reported just over 55,000 new cases per day, on average. From July 14 to July 20, an average of 64,000 daily cases were reported. The vast majority of these were diagnosed in large metropolitan areas.
Using data from state and local health departments, 24/7 Wall St. compiled and reviewed the average number of new daily confirmed COVID-19 cases for the week ending July 20 and compared it to the average of new daily cases from the previous week to determine the metropolitan statistical areas where the virus is growing the fastest. For comparison purposes, we adjusted the number of confirmed cases per 100,000 people.
There are six states with multiple cities that rank among the places where COVID-19 is growing, and all of them are in the South. Florida is home to 11 of the 35 cities in which the number of average new cases per day increased the most as compared to the previous week. Alabama has eight, Texas has four, South Carolina has three, and Arkansas and Georgia each have two. It should come as no surprise that all of these states are seeing their cases per capita increase at a rate well beyond that of the U.S. as a whole. These are the states where COVID-19 is spreading the fastest.
As COVID-19 cases have spiked in many parts of the country, states have largely resisted going back to more restrictive measures, though some have paused reopening efforts. This has left companies with decisions about whether they should reopen, and if they do, how they should best protect customers and employees from the spread of COVID-19. Many large national companies with hundreds of locations are reopening, but refusing to admit anyone who is not wearing a face mask, regardless of whether or not the businesses are located in areas with a facial-covering requirement. These are the national stores that require customers to wear a facemask.
Click here to see the cities where COVID-19 is growing the fastest
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35. Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford, FL
> Change in daily avg. new COVID-19 cases week over week: +9 per 100,000 people
> Avg. new daily cases in 7 days ending July 20: 50 per 100,000
> Avg. new daily cases in 7 days ending July 13: 40 per 100,000
> Cumulative confirmed COVID-19 cases as of July 20: 1,578 per 100,000 people (total: 38,654)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of July 20: 238
> Population: 2,572,962
> Avg. new daily cases in Florida in 7 days ending July 20: 54 per 100,000 (the highest)
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34. Sebastian-Vero Beach, FL
> Change in daily avg. new COVID-19 cases week over week: +9 per 100,000 people
> Avg. new daily cases in 7 days ending July 20: 35 per 100,000
> Avg. new daily cases in 7 days ending July 13: 26 per 100,000
> Cumulative confirmed COVID-19 cases as of July 20: 1,092 per 100,000 people (total: 1,649)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of July 20: 25
> Population: 157,413
> Avg. new daily cases in Florida in 7 days ending July 20: 54 per 100,000 (the highest)
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33. Dothan, AL
> Change in daily avg. new COVID-19 cases week over week: +10 per 100,000 people
> Avg. new daily cases in 7 days ending July 20: 23 per 100,000
> Avg. new daily cases in 7 days ending July 13: 14 per 100,000
> Cumulative confirmed COVID-19 cases as of July 20: 831 per 100,000 people (total: 1,230)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of July 20: 11
> Population: 148,245
> Avg. new daily cases in Alabama in 7 days ending July 20: 36 per 100,000 (5th highest)
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32. Columbia, SC
> Change in daily avg. new COVID-19 cases week over week: +10 per 100,000 people
> Avg. new daily cases in 7 days ending July 20: 35 per 100,000
> Avg. new daily cases in 7 days ending July 13: 26 per 100,000
> Cumulative confirmed COVID-19 cases as of July 20: 1,456 per 100,000 people (total: 11,892)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of July 20: 228
> Population: 833,165
> Avg. new daily cases in South Carolina in 7 days ending July 20: 37 per 100,000 (4th highest)
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31. Evansville, IN-KY
> Change in daily avg. new COVID-19 cases week over week: +10 per 100,000 people
> Avg. new daily cases in 7 days ending July 20: 22 per 100,000
> Avg. new daily cases in 7 days ending July 13: 12 per 100,000
> Cumulative confirmed COVID-19 cases as of July 20: 587 per 100,000 people (total: 1,849)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of July 20: 38
> Population: 314,672
> Avg. new daily cases in Indiana in 7 days ending July 20: 10 per 100,000 (21st lowest)
Source: Paul Sableman / Wikimedia Commons
30. Pine Bluff, AR
> Change in daily avg. new COVID-19 cases week over week: +10 per 100,000 people
> Avg. new daily cases in 7 days ending July 20: 26 per 100,000
> Avg. new daily cases in 7 days ending July 13: 17 per 100,000
> Cumulative confirmed COVID-19 cases as of July 20: 2,375 per 100,000 people (total: 2,193)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of July 20: 41
> Population: 90,306
> Avg. new daily cases in Arkansas in 7 days ending July 20: 23 per 100,000 (12th highest)
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29. Virginia Beach-Norfolk-Newport News, VA-NC
> Change in daily avg. new COVID-19 cases week over week: +10 per 100,000 people
> Avg. new daily cases in 7 days ending July 20: 23 per 100,000
> Avg. new daily cases in 7 days ending July 13: 13 per 100,000
> Cumulative confirmed COVID-19 cases as of July 20: 682 per 100,000 people (total: 11,998)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of July 20: 217
> Population: 1,729,114
> Avg. new daily cases in Virginia in 7 days ending July 20: 11 per 100,000 (24th highest)
Source: George Dodd / Getty Images
28. Daphne-Fairhope-Foley, AL
> Change in daily avg. new COVID-19 cases week over week: +10 per 100,000 people
> Avg. new daily cases in 7 days ending July 20: 36 per 100,000
> Avg. new daily cases in 7 days ending July 13: 26 per 100,000
> Cumulative confirmed COVID-19 cases as of July 20: 956 per 100,000 people (total: 1,990)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of July 20: 14
> Population: 218,022
> Avg. new daily cases in Alabama in 7 days ending July 20: 36 per 100,000 (5th highest)
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27. Florence, SC
> Change in daily avg. new COVID-19 cases week over week: +10 per 100,000 people
> Avg. new daily cases in 7 days ending July 20: 31 per 100,000
> Avg. new daily cases in 7 days ending July 13: 21 per 100,000
> Cumulative confirmed COVID-19 cases as of July 20: 1,358 per 100,000 people (total: 2,794)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of July 20: 84
> Population: 204,961
> Avg. new daily cases in South Carolina in 7 days ending July 20: 37 per 100,000 (4th highest)
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26. Auburn-Opelika, AL
> Change in daily avg. new COVID-19 cases week over week: +10 per 100,000 people
> Avg. new daily cases in 7 days ending July 20: 32 per 100,000
> Avg. new daily cases in 7 days ending July 13: 22 per 100,000
> Cumulative confirmed COVID-19 cases as of July 20: 1,283 per 100,000 people (total: 2,043)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of July 20: 38
> Population: 163,941
> Avg. new daily cases in Alabama in 7 days ending July 20: 36 per 100,000 (5th highest)
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25. Jonesboro, AR
> Change in daily avg. new COVID-19 cases week over week: +10 per 100,000 people
> Avg. new daily cases in 7 days ending July 20: 17 per 100,000
> Avg. new daily cases in 7 days ending July 13: 7 per 100,000
> Cumulative confirmed COVID-19 cases as of July 20: 644 per 100,000 people (total: 835)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of July 20: 11
> Population: 132,532
> Avg. new daily cases in Arkansas in 7 days ending July 20: 23 per 100,000 (12th highest)
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24. Gainesville, GA
> Change in daily avg. new COVID-19 cases week over week: +10 per 100,000 people
> Avg. new daily cases in 7 days ending July 20: 37 per 100,000
> Avg. new daily cases in 7 days ending July 13: 26 per 100,000
> Cumulative confirmed COVID-19 cases as of July 20: 2,256 per 100,000 people (total: 4,420)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of July 20: 66
> Population: 202,148
> Avg. new daily cases in Georgia in 7 days ending July 20: 33 per 100,000 (6th highest)
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23. Anniston-Oxford, AL
> Change in daily avg. new COVID-19 cases week over week: +10 per 100,000 people
> Avg. new daily cases in 7 days ending July 20: 29 per 100,000
> Avg. new daily cases in 7 days ending July 13: 18 per 100,000
> Cumulative confirmed COVID-19 cases as of July 20: 707 per 100,000 people (total: 814)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of July 20: 6
> Population: 114,277
> Avg. new daily cases in Alabama in 7 days ending July 20: 36 per 100,000 (5th highest)
Source: Warren-Pender / Getty Images
22. Sebring-Avon Park, FL
> Change in daily avg. new COVID-19 cases week over week: +11 per 100,000 people
> Avg. new daily cases in 7 days ending July 20: 26 per 100,000
> Avg. new daily cases in 7 days ending July 13: 15 per 100,000
> Cumulative confirmed COVID-19 cases as of July 20: 762 per 100,000 people (total: 778)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of July 20: 15
> Population: 105,424
> Avg. new daily cases in Florida in 7 days ending July 20: 54 per 100,000 (the highest)
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21. Miami-Fort Lauderdale-Pompano Beach, FL
> Change in daily avg. new COVID-19 cases week over week: +11 per 100,000 people
> Avg. new daily cases in 7 days ending July 20: 79 per 100,000
> Avg. new daily cases in 7 days ending July 13: 67 per 100,000
> Cumulative confirmed COVID-19 cases as of July 20: 2,544 per 100,000 people (total: 154,437)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of July 20: 2,506
> Population: 6,198,782
> Avg. new daily cases in Florida in 7 days ending July 20: 54 per 100,000 (the highest)
Source: George Dodd / Getty Images
20. Mobile, AL
> Change in daily avg. new COVID-19 cases week over week: +12 per 100,000 people
> Avg. new daily cases in 7 days ending July 20: 37 per 100,000
> Avg. new daily cases in 7 days ending July 13: 25 per 100,000
> Cumulative confirmed COVID-19 cases as of July 20: 1,477 per 100,000 people (total: 6,369)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of July 20: 170
> Population: 413,757
> Avg. new daily cases in Alabama in 7 days ending July 20: 36 per 100,000 (5th highest)
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19. Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC
> Change in daily avg. new COVID-19 cases week over week: +12 per 100,000 people
> Avg. new daily cases in 7 days ending July 20: 33 per 100,000
> Avg. new daily cases in 7 days ending July 13: 21 per 100,000
> Cumulative confirmed COVID-19 cases as of July 20: 893 per 100,000 people (total: 5,308)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of July 20: 113
> Population: 605,903
> Avg. new daily cases in Georgia in 7 days ending July 20: 33 per 100,000 (6th highest)
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18. Boise City, ID
> Change in daily avg. new COVID-19 cases week over week: +12 per 100,000 people
> Avg. new daily cases in 7 days ending July 20: 53 per 100,000
> Avg. new daily cases in 7 days ending July 13: 41 per 100,000
> Cumulative confirmed COVID-19 cases as of July 20: 1,344 per 100,000 people (total: 9,325)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of July 20: 51
> Population: 732,257
> Avg. new daily cases in Idaho in 7 days ending July 20: 30 per 100,000 (10th highest)
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17. Bakersfield, CA
> Change in daily avg. new COVID-19 cases week over week: +13 per 100,000 people
> Avg. new daily cases in 7 days ending July 20: 29 per 100,000
> Avg. new daily cases in 7 days ending July 13: 17 per 100,000
> Cumulative confirmed COVID-19 cases as of July 20: 1,143 per 100,000 people (total: 10,094)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of July 20: 105
> Population: 896,764
> Avg. new daily cases in California in 7 days ending July 20: 22 per 100,000 (13th highest)
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16. Sumter, SC
> Change in daily avg. new COVID-19 cases week over week: +13 per 100,000 people
> Avg. new daily cases in 7 days ending July 20: 37 per 100,000
> Avg. new daily cases in 7 days ending July 13: 24 per 100,000
> Cumulative confirmed COVID-19 cases as of July 20: 1,627 per 100,000 people (total: 2,294)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of July 20: 81
> Population: 106,512
> Avg. new daily cases in South Carolina in 7 days ending July 20: 37 per 100,000 (4th highest)
Source: Sean Pavone / Getty Images
15. North Port-Sarasota-Bradenton, FL
> Change in daily avg. new COVID-19 cases week over week: +13 per 100,000 people
> Avg. new daily cases in 7 days ending July 20: 49 per 100,000
> Avg. new daily cases in 7 days ending July 13: 36 per 100,000
> Cumulative confirmed COVID-19 cases as of July 20: 1,409 per 100,000 people (total: 11,076)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of July 20: 251
> Population: 821,573
> Avg. new daily cases in Florida in 7 days ending July 20: 54 per 100,000 (the highest)
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14. Decatur, AL
> Change in daily avg. new COVID-19 cases week over week: +13 per 100,000 people
> Avg. new daily cases in 7 days ending July 20: 34 per 100,000
> Avg. new daily cases in 7 days ending July 13: 21 per 100,000
> Cumulative confirmed COVID-19 cases as of July 20: 1,252 per 100,000 people (total: 1,907)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of July 20: 10
> Population: 152,046
> Avg. new daily cases in Alabama in 7 days ending July 20: 36 per 100,000 (5th highest)
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13. Cape Coral-Fort Myers, FL
> Change in daily avg. new COVID-19 cases week over week: +13 per 100,000 people
> Avg. new daily cases in 7 days ending July 20: 57 per 100,000
> Avg. new daily cases in 7 days ending July 13: 44 per 100,000
> Cumulative confirmed COVID-19 cases as of July 20: 1,796 per 100,000 people (total: 12,906)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of July 20: 232
> Population: 754,610
> Avg. new daily cases in Florida in 7 days ending July 20: 54 per 100,000 (the highest)
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12. Huntsville, AL
> Change in daily avg. new COVID-19 cases week over week: +14 per 100,000 people
> Avg. new daily cases in 7 days ending July 20: 43 per 100,000
> Avg. new daily cases in 7 days ending July 13: 28 per 100,000
> Cumulative confirmed COVID-19 cases as of July 20: 991 per 100,000 people (total: 4,467)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of July 20: 19
> Population: 462,693
> Avg. new daily cases in Alabama in 7 days ending July 20: 36 per 100,000 (5th highest)
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11. Yakima, WA
> Change in daily avg. new COVID-19 cases week over week: +15 per 100,000 people
> Avg. new daily cases in 7 days ending July 20: 49 per 100,000
> Avg. new daily cases in 7 days ending July 13: 35 per 100,000
> Cumulative confirmed COVID-19 cases as of July 20: 3,660 per 100,000 people (total: 9,125)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of July 20: 195
> Population: 251,446
> Avg. new daily cases in Washington in 7 days ending July 20: 11 per 100,000 (25th highest)
Source: Michael Warren / Getty Images
10. Ocala, FL
> Change in daily avg. new COVID-19 cases week over week: +15 per 100,000 people
> Avg. new daily cases in 7 days ending July 20: 34 per 100,000
> Avg. new daily cases in 7 days ending July 13: 20 per 100,000
> Cumulative confirmed COVID-19 cases as of July 20: 732 per 100,000 people (total: 2,550)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of July 20: 30
> Population: 359,977
> Avg. new daily cases in Florida in 7 days ending July 20: 54 per 100,000 (the highest)
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9. Naples-Marco Island, FL
> Change in daily avg. new COVID-19 cases week over week: +15 per 100,000 people
> Avg. new daily cases in 7 days ending July 20: 59 per 100,000
> Avg. new daily cases in 7 days ending July 13: 44 per 100,000
> Cumulative confirmed COVID-19 cases as of July 20: 2,180 per 100,000 people (total: 7,934)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of July 20: 107
> Population: 378,488
> Avg. new daily cases in Florida in 7 days ending July 20: 54 per 100,000 (the highest)
Source: PeteMuller / Getty Images
8. Florence-Muscle Shoals, AL
> Change in daily avg. new COVID-19 cases week over week: +16 per 100,000 people
> Avg. new daily cases in 7 days ending July 20: 33 per 100,000
> Avg. new daily cases in 7 days ending July 13: 17 per 100,000
> Cumulative confirmed COVID-19 cases as of July 20: 1,040 per 100,000 people (total: 1,530)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of July 20: 17
> Population: 147,149
> Avg. new daily cases in Alabama in 7 days ending July 20: 36 per 100,000 (5th highest)
Source: DenisTangneyJr / Getty Images
7. McAllen-Edinburg-Mission, TX
> Change in daily avg. new COVID-19 cases week over week: +16 per 100,000 people
> Avg. new daily cases in 7 days ending July 20: 52 per 100,000
> Avg. new daily cases in 7 days ending July 13: 36 per 100,000
> Cumulative confirmed COVID-19 cases as of July 20: 1,444 per 100,000 people (total: 12,263)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of July 20: 284
> Population: 865,939
> Avg. new daily cases in Texas in 7 days ending July 20: 33 per 100,000 (8th highest)
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6. Crestview-Fort Walton Beach-Destin, FL
> Change in daily avg. new COVID-19 cases week over week: +16 per 100,000 people
> Avg. new daily cases in 7 days ending July 20: 43 per 100,000
> Avg. new daily cases in 7 days ending July 13: 27 per 100,000
> Cumulative confirmed COVID-19 cases as of July 20: 1,048 per 100,000 people (total: 2,795)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of July 20: 26
> Population: 278,644
> Avg. new daily cases in Florida in 7 days ending July 20: 54 per 100,000 (the highest)
Source: Kanokwalee Pusitanun / iStock via Getty Images
5. Pensacola-Ferry Pass-Brent, FL
> Change in daily avg. new COVID-19 cases week over week: +19 per 100,000 people
> Avg. new daily cases in 7 days ending July 20: 65 per 100,000
> Avg. new daily cases in 7 days ending July 13: 46 per 100,000
> Cumulative confirmed COVID-19 cases as of July 20: 1,634 per 100,000 people (total: 7,876)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of July 20: 76
> Population: 494,883
> Avg. new daily cases in Florida in 7 days ending July 20: 54 per 100,000 (the highest)
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4. Panama City, FL
> Change in daily avg. new COVID-19 cases week over week: +19 per 100,000 people
> Avg. new daily cases in 7 days ending July 20: 55 per 100,000
> Avg. new daily cases in 7 days ending July 13: 35 per 100,000
> Cumulative confirmed COVID-19 cases as of July 20: 1,154 per 100,000 people (total: 2,105)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of July 20: 9
> Population: 202,977
> Avg. new daily cases in Florida in 7 days ending July 20: 54 per 100,000 (the highest)
Source: DenisTangneyJr / Getty Images
3. Laredo, TX
> Change in daily avg. new COVID-19 cases week over week: +20 per 100,000 people
> Avg. new daily cases in 7 days ending July 20: 58 per 100,000
> Avg. new daily cases in 7 days ending July 13: 37 per 100,000
> Cumulative confirmed COVID-19 cases as of July 20: 1,452 per 100,000 people (total: 3,950)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of July 20: 65
> Population: 275,910
> Avg. new daily cases in Texas in 7 days ending July 20: 33 per 100,000 (8th highest)
Source: DenisTangneyJr / iStock via Getty Images
2. San Angelo, TX
> Change in daily avg. new COVID-19 cases week over week: +31 per 100,000 people
> Avg. new daily cases in 7 days ending July 20: 65 per 100,000
> Avg. new daily cases in 7 days ending July 13: 33 per 100,000
> Cumulative confirmed COVID-19 cases as of July 20: 1,023 per 100,000 people (total: 1,202)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of July 20: 11
> Population: 119,310
> Avg. new daily cases in Texas in 7 days ending July 20: 33 per 100,000 (8th highest)
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1. Brownsville-Harlingen, TX
> Change in daily avg. new COVID-19 cases week over week: +34 per 100,000 people
> Avg. new daily cases in 7 days ending July 20: 60 per 100,000
> Avg. new daily cases in 7 days ending July 13: 26 per 100,000
> Cumulative confirmed COVID-19 cases as of July 20: 1,397 per 100,000 people (total: 5,891)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of July 20: 96
> Population: 423,908
> Avg. new daily cases in Texas in 7 days ending July 20: 33 per 100,000 (8th highest)
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