Special Report

States With the Highest Number of COVID-19 Cases

Samuel Stebbins

Published: April 6, 2021 5:45 am

Vaccine distribution is well underway across the United States. Still, the novel coronavirus continues to spread through the population. In the last week alone, there were an average of 64,502 new cases of the virus every day.

Since the first known case was identified in the U.S. on Jan. 21, 2020, there have been a total of 30,238,700 reported cases of COVID-19 nationwide — or 9,243 per 100,000 people. Of course, infections are not evenly spread across the country, and some states have far higher infections rates per capita than others. The number of confirmed cases per 100,000 people ranges from as low as 2,030 to as high as 13,612, depending on the state.

Though the first case of the novel coronavirus in the United States was on the West Coast, the early epicenter of the outbreak was on the other side of the country, in New York City. In the months since, the parts of the country hit hardest by the virus shifted to the Southeast, the Midwest, and California.

Currently, the states with the lowest number of infections per capita tend to be concentrated in the West, while the states with the highest population-adjusted infection rates are most likely to be located in the South.

The severity of a COVID-19 outbreak across a given state is subject to a wide range of factors. Still, states that had a hands-off approach in the early days of the pandemic are more likely to be worse off today than those that adopted strict measures to control the spread. Arkansas, Iowa, Nebraska, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Dakota, and Wyoming were the only states that did not issue a statewide stay-at-home order in March or early April — and of those states, all seven currently have a higher infection rate than the U.S. as a whole.

All COVID-19 data used in this story are current as of April 4, 2021.

Source: maximkabb / iStock

51. Hawaii
> Cumulative cases of COVID-19 as of April 4: 2,030 per 100,000 people (28,843 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of April 4: 32 per 100,000 people (460 total deaths)
> Avg. new daily cases in the last week: 7 per 100,000 people (total: 98)
> Population: 1,420,491

These are all the counties in Hawaii where COVID-19 is slowing (and where it’s still getting worse).

Source: SeanPavonePhoto / Getty Images

50. Vermont
> Cumulative cases of COVID-19 as of April 4: 3,117 per 100,000 people (19,523 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of April 4: 36 per 100,000 people (227 total deaths)
> Avg. new daily cases in the last week: 30 per 100,000 people (total: 187)
> Population: 626,299

These are all the counties in Vermont where COVID-19 is slowing (and where it’s still getting worse).

Source: SeanPavonePhoto / Getty Images

49. Maine
> Cumulative cases of COVID-19 as of April 4: 3,825 per 100,000 people (51,191 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of April 4: 56 per 100,000 people (744 total deaths)
> Avg. new daily cases in the last week: 19 per 100,000 people (total: 250)
> Population: 1,338,404

These are all the counties in Maine where COVID-19 is slowing (and where it’s still getting worse).

Source: 4nadia / Getty Images

48. Oregon
> Cumulative cases of COVID-19 as of April 4: 3,950 per 100,000 people (165,524 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of April 4: 57 per 100,000 people (2,385 total deaths)
> Avg. new daily cases in the last week: 9 per 100,000 people (total: 388)
> Population: 4,190,713

These are all the counties in Oregon where COVID-19 is slowing (and where it’s still getting worse).

Source: aiisha5 / iStock

47. Washington
> Cumulative cases of COVID-19 as of April 4: 4,854 per 100,000 people (365,762 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of April 4: 70 per 100,000 people (5,262 total deaths)
> Avg. new daily cases in the last week: 14 per 100,000 people (total: 1,022)
> Population: 7,535,591

These are all the counties in Washington where COVID-19 is slowing (and where it’s still getting worse).

Source: DenisTangneyJr / Getty Images

46. New Hampshire
> Cumulative cases of COVID-19 as of April 4: 6,232 per 100,000 people (84,539 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of April 4: 92 per 100,000 people (1,245 total deaths)
> Avg. new daily cases in the last week: 26 per 100,000 people (total: 357)
> Population: 1,356,458

These are all the counties in New Hampshire where COVID-19 is slowing (and where it’s still getting worse).

Source: Matt Anderson / iStock via Getty Images

45. Washington D.C.
> Cumulative cases of COVID-19 as of April 4: 6,524 per 100,000 people (44,656 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of April 4: 156 per 100,000 people (1,066 total deaths)
> Avg. new daily cases in the last week: 20 per 100,000 people (total: 141)
> Population: 702,455

Click here to see all current COVID-19 data for Washington D.C.

Source: Davel5957 / Getty Images

44. Maryland
> Cumulative cases of COVID-19 as of April 4: 6,858 per 100,000 people (414,385 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of April 4: 138 per 100,000 people (8,319 total deaths)
> Avg. new daily cases in the last week: 25 per 100,000 people (total: 1,486)
> Population: 6,042,718

These are all the counties in Maryland where COVID-19 is slowing (and where it’s still getting worse).

Source: SeanPavonePhoto / Getty Images

43. Virginia
> Cumulative cases of COVID-19 as of April 4: 7,306 per 100,000 people (622,339 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of April 4: 121 per 100,000 people (10,279 total deaths)
> Avg. new daily cases in the last week: 17 per 100,000 people (total: 1,468)
> Population: 8,517,685

These are all the counties in Virginia where COVID-19 is slowing (and where it’s still getting worse).

Source: pawel.gaul / Getty Images

42. Michigan
> Cumulative cases of COVID-19 as of April 4: 7,538 per 100,000 people (753,449 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of April 4: 172 per 100,000 people (17,174 total deaths)
> Avg. new daily cases in the last week: 59 per 100,000 people (total: 5,865)
> Population: 9,995,915

These are all the counties in Michigan where COVID-19 is slowing (and where it’s still getting worse).

Source: Sean Pavone / Getty Images

41. West Virginia
> Cumulative cases of COVID-19 as of April 4: 7,876 per 100,000 people (142,233 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of April 4: 149 per 100,000 people (2,683 total deaths)
> Avg. new daily cases in the last week: 24 per 100,000 people (total: 426)
> Population: 1,805,832

These are all the counties in West Virginia where COVID-19 is slowing (and where it’s still getting worse).

Source: SeanPavonePhoto / Getty Images

40. Pennsylvania
> Cumulative cases of COVID-19 as of April 4: 8,033 per 100,000 people (1,028,750 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of April 4: 196 per 100,000 people (25,120 total deaths)
> Avg. new daily cases in the last week: 32 per 100,000 people (total: 4,073)
> Population: 12,807,060

These are all the counties in Pennsylvania where COVID-19 is slowing (and where it’s still getting worse).

Source: f11photo / Getty Images

39. Colorado
> Cumulative cases of COVID-19 as of April 4: 8,141 per 100,000 people (463,685 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of April 4: 107 per 100,000 people (6,117 total deaths)
> Avg. new daily cases in the last week: 22 per 100,000 people (total: 1,256)
> Population: 5,695,564

These are all the counties in Colorado where COVID-19 is slowing (and where it’s still getting worse).

Source: volvob12b / Flickr

38. Alaska
> Cumulative cases of COVID-19 as of April 4: 8,234 per 100,000 people (60,723 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of April 4: 42 per 100,000 people (309 total deaths)
> Avg. new daily cases in the last week: 23 per 100,000 people (total: 171)
> Population: 737,438

These are all the counties in Alaska where COVID-19 is slowing (and where it’s still getting worse).

Source: Sean Pavone / Getty Images

37. Ohio
> Cumulative cases of COVID-19 as of April 4: 8,726 per 100,000 people (1,020,041 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of April 4: 159 per 100,000 people (18,611 total deaths)
> Avg. new daily cases in the last week: 17 per 100,000 people (total: 1,981)
> Population: 11,689,442

These are all the counties in Ohio where COVID-19 is slowing (and where it’s still getting worse).

Source: SeanPavonePhoto / Getty Images

36. Connecticut
> Cumulative cases of COVID-19 as of April 4: 8,746 per 100,000 people (312,468 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of April 4: 221 per 100,000 people (7,900 total deaths)
> Avg. new daily cases in the last week: 36 per 100,000 people (total: 1,280)
> Population: 3,572,665

These are all the counties in Connecticut where COVID-19 is slowing (and where it’s still getting worse).

Source: Sean Pavone / Getty Images

35. North Carolina
> Cumulative cases of COVID-19 as of April 4: 8,823 per 100,000 people (916,159 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of April 4: 117 per 100,000 people (12,136 total deaths)
> Avg. new daily cases in the last week: 15 per 100,000 people (total: 1,519)
> Population: 10,383,620

These are all the counties in North Carolina where COVID-19 is slowing (and where it’s still getting worse).

Source: SeanPavonePhoto / Getty Images

34. Massachusetts
> Cumulative cases of COVID-19 as of April 4: 8,845 per 100,000 people (610,528 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of April 4: 248 per 100,000 people (17,084 total deaths)
> Avg. new daily cases in the last week: 30 per 100,000 people (total: 2,048)
> Population: 6,902,149

These are all the counties in Massachusetts where COVID-19 is slowing (and where it’s still getting worse).

Source: choness / Getty Images

33. California
> Cumulative cases of COVID-19 as of April 4: 9,027 per 100,000 people (3,570,660 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of April 4: 147 per 100,000 people (58,090 total deaths)
> Avg. new daily cases in the last week: 6 per 100,000 people (total: 2,479)
> Population: 39,557,045

These are all the counties in California where COVID-19 is slowing (and where it’s still getting worse).

Source: ferrantraite / Getty Images

32. New Mexico
> Cumulative cases of COVID-19 as of April 4: 9,160 per 100,000 people (191,945 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of April 4: 188 per 100,000 people (3,942 total deaths)
> Avg. new daily cases in the last week: 10 per 100,000 people (total: 208)
> Population: 2,095,428

These are all the counties in New Mexico where COVID-19 is slowing (and where it’s still getting worse).

Source: Scruggelgreen / Getty Images

31. Minnesota
> Cumulative cases of COVID-19 as of April 4: 9,297 per 100,000 people (521,667 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of April 4: 124 per 100,000 people (6,938 total deaths)
> Avg. new daily cases in the last week: 29 per 100,000 people (total: 1,610)
> Population: 5,611,179

These are all the counties in Minnesota where COVID-19 is slowing (and where it’s still getting worse).

Source: iip-photo-archive / Flickr

30. Missouri
> Cumulative cases of COVID-19 as of April 4: 9,442 per 100,000 people (578,438 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of April 4: 139 per 100,000 people (8,501 total deaths)
> Avg. new daily cases in the last week: 9 per 100,000 people (total: 574)
> Population: 6,126,452

These are all the counties in Missouri where COVID-19 is slowing (and where it’s still getting worse).

Source: SeanPavonePhoto / Getty Images

29. Florida
> Cumulative cases of COVID-19 as of April 4: 9,512 per 100,000 people (2,026,083 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of April 4: 157 per 100,000 people (33,494 total deaths)
> Avg. new daily cases in the last week: 24 per 100,000 people (total: 5,166)
> Population: 21,299,325

These are all the counties in Florida where COVID-19 is slowing (and where it’s still getting worse).

Source: f11photo / Getty Images

28. Louisiana
> Cumulative cases of COVID-19 as of April 4: 9,559 per 100,000 people (445,469 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of April 4: 218 per 100,000 people (10,161 total deaths)
> Avg. new daily cases in the last week: 9 per 100,000 people (total: 407)
> Population: 4,659,978

These are all the parishes in Louisiana where COVID-19 is slowing (and where it’s still getting worse).

Source: Sean Pavone / Getty Images

27. Kentucky
> Cumulative cases of COVID-19 as of April 4: 9,575 per 100,000 people (427,842 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of April 4: 137 per 100,000 people (6,108 total deaths)
> Avg. new daily cases in the last week: 14 per 100,000 people (total: 633)
> Population: 4,468,402

These are all the counties in Kentucky where COVID-19 is slowing (and where it’s still getting worse).

Source: FilippoBacci / Getty Images

26. New York
> Cumulative cases of COVID-19 as of April 4: 9,658 per 100,000 people (1,887,304 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of April 4: 257 per 100,000 people (50,143 total deaths)
> Avg. new daily cases in the last week: 42 per 100,000 people (total: 8,296)
> Population: 19,542,209

These are all the counties in New York where COVID-19 is slowing (and where it’s still getting worse).

Source: RoschetzkyIstockPhoto / Getty Images

25. Texas
> Cumulative cases of COVID-19 as of April 4: 9,709 per 100,000 people (2,786,642 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of April 4: 166 per 100,000 people (47,522 total deaths)
> Avg. new daily cases in the last week: 13 per 100,000 people (total: 3,825)
> Population: 28,701,845

These are all the counties in Texas where COVID-19 is slowing (and where it’s still getting worse).

Source: Cliff / Wikimedia Commons

24. Wyoming
> Cumulative cases of COVID-19 as of April 4: 9,760 per 100,000 people (56,389 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of April 4: 121 per 100,000 people (700 total deaths)
> Avg. new daily cases in the last week: 12 per 100,000 people (total: 67)
> Population: 577,737

These are all the counties in Wyoming where COVID-19 is slowing (and where it’s still getting worse).

Source: Sean Pavone / Getty Images

23. Illinois
> Cumulative cases of COVID-19 as of April 4: 9,796 per 100,000 people (1,248,111 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of April 4: 185 per 100,000 people (23,601 total deaths)
> Avg. new daily cases in the last week: 20 per 100,000 people (total: 2,602)
> Population: 12,741,080

These are all the counties in Illinois where COVID-19 is slowing (and where it’s still getting worse).

Source: mdgmorris / Getty Images

22. Delaware
> Cumulative cases of COVID-19 as of April 4: 9,842 per 100,000 people (95,188 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of April 4: 161 per 100,000 people (1,559 total deaths)
> Avg. new daily cases in the last week: 32 per 100,000 people (total: 307)
> Population: 967,171

These are all the counties in Delaware where COVID-19 is slowing (and where it’s still getting worse).

Source: peeterv / Getty Images

21. Montana
> Cumulative cases of COVID-19 as of April 4: 9,858 per 100,000 people (104,725 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of April 4: 135 per 100,000 people (1,438 total deaths)
> Avg. new daily cases in the last week: 12 per 100,000 people (total: 128)
> Population: 1,062,305

These are all the counties in Montana where COVID-19 is slowing (and where it’s still getting worse).

Source: f11photo / Getty Images

20. Nevada
> Cumulative cases of COVID-19 as of April 4: 10,022 per 100,000 people (304,112 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of April 4: 173 per 100,000 people (5,256 total deaths)
> Avg. new daily cases in the last week: 9 per 100,000 people (total: 277)
> Population: 3,034,392

These are all the counties in Nevada where COVID-19 is slowing (and where it’s still getting worse).

Source: Sean Pavone / Getty Images

19. Georgia
> Cumulative cases of COVID-19 as of April 4: 10,086 per 100,000 people (1,060,973 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of April 4: 182 per 100,000 people (19,119 total deaths)
> Avg. new daily cases in the last week: 13 per 100,000 people (total: 1,373)
> Population: 10,519,475

These are all the counties in Georgia where COVID-19 is slowing (and where it’s still getting worse).

Source: SeanPavonePhoto / Getty Images

18. Mississippi
> Cumulative cases of COVID-19 as of April 4: 10,236 per 100,000 people (305,701 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of April 4: 236 per 100,000 people (7,051 total deaths)
> Avg. new daily cases in the last week: 7 per 100,000 people (total: 213)
> Population: 2,986,530

These are all the counties in Mississippi where COVID-19 is slowing (and where it’s still getting worse).

Source: SeanPavonePhoto / Getty Images

17. New Jersey
> Cumulative cases of COVID-19 as of April 4: 10,265 per 100,000 people (914,422 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of April 4: 276 per 100,000 people (24,591 total deaths)
> Avg. new daily cases in the last week: 52 per 100,000 people (total: 4,649)
> Population: 8,908,520

These are all the counties in New Jersey where COVID-19 is slowing (and where it’s still getting worse).

Source: Davel5957 / Getty Images

16. Indiana
> Cumulative cases of COVID-19 as of April 4: 10,277 per 100,000 people (687,713 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of April 4: 195 per 100,000 people (13,048 total deaths)
> Avg. new daily cases in the last week: 14 per 100,000 people (total: 959)
> Population: 6,691,878

These are all the counties in Indiana where COVID-19 is slowing (and where it’s still getting worse).

Source: knowlesgallery / Getty Images

15. Idaho
> Cumulative cases of COVID-19 as of April 4: 10,312 per 100,000 people (180,897 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of April 4: 112 per 100,000 people (1,963 total deaths)
> Avg. new daily cases in the last week: 16 per 100,000 people (total: 287)
> Population: 1,754,208

These are all the counties in Idaho where COVID-19 is slowing (and where it’s still getting worse).

Source: Sean Pavone / iStock via Getty Images

14. Kansas
> Cumulative cases of COVID-19 as of April 4: 10,385 per 100,000 people (302,372 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of April 4: 169 per 100,000 people (4,913 total deaths)
> Avg. new daily cases in the last week: 7 per 100,000 people (total: 206)
> Population: 2,911,510

These are all the counties in Kansas where COVID-19 is slowing (and where it’s still getting worse).

Source: Kruck20 / Getty Images

13. Alabama
> Cumulative cases of COVID-19 as of April 4: 10,554 per 100,000 people (515,866 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of April 4: 216 per 100,000 people (10,553 total deaths)
> Avg. new daily cases in the last week: 8 per 100,000 people (total: 390)
> Population: 4,887,871

These are all the counties in Alabama where COVID-19 is slowing (and where it’s still getting worse).

Source: Sean Pavone / Getty Images

12. South Carolina
> Cumulative cases of COVID-19 as of April 4: 10,869 per 100,000 people (552,575 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of April 4: 180 per 100,000 people (9,174 total deaths)
> Avg. new daily cases in the last week: 22 per 100,000 people (total: 1,094)
> Population: 5,084,127

These are all the counties in South Carolina where COVID-19 is slowing (and where it’s still getting worse).

Source: DenisTangneyJr / Getty Images

11. Nebraska
> Cumulative cases of COVID-19 as of April 4: 10,880 per 100,000 people (209,896 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of April 4: 113 per 100,000 people (2,181 total deaths)
> Avg. new daily cases in the last week: 17 per 100,000 people (total: 318)
> Population: 1,929,268

These are all the counties in Nebraska where COVID-19 is slowing (and where it’s still getting worse).

Source: Sean Pavone / Getty Images

10. Wisconsin
> Cumulative cases of COVID-19 as of April 4: 10,956 per 100,000 people (636,908 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of April 4: 126 per 100,000 people (7,326 total deaths)
> Avg. new daily cases in the last week: 12 per 100,000 people (total: 684)
> Population: 5,813,568

These are all the counties in Wisconsin where COVID-19 is slowing (and where it’s still getting worse).

Source: Sean Pavone / Getty Images

9. Arkansas
> Cumulative cases of COVID-19 as of April 4: 10,970 per 100,000 people (330,609 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of April 4: 187 per 100,000 people (5,636 total deaths)
> Avg. new daily cases in the last week: 5 per 100,000 people (total: 157)
> Population: 3,013,825

These are all the counties in Arkansas where COVID-19 is slowing (and where it’s still getting worse).

Source: DenisTangneyJr / Getty Images

8. Oklahoma
> Cumulative cases of COVID-19 as of April 4: 11,117 per 100,000 people (438,361 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of April 4: 126 per 100,000 people (4,959 total deaths)
> Avg. new daily cases in the last week: 5 per 100,000 people (total: 207)
> Population: 3,943,079

These are all the counties in Oklahoma where COVID-19 is slowing (and where it’s still getting worse).

Source: pabradyphoto / Getty Images

7. Iowa
> Cumulative cases of COVID-19 as of April 4: 11,146 per 100,000 people (351,795 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of April 4: 182 per 100,000 people (5,751 total deaths)
> Avg. new daily cases in the last week: 18 per 100,000 people (total: 560)
> Population: 3,156,145

These are all the counties in Iowa where COVID-19 is slowing (and where it’s still getting worse).

Source: Dreamframer / Getty Images

6. Arizona
> Cumulative cases of COVID-19 as of April 4: 11,743 per 100,000 people (842,192 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of April 4: 237 per 100,000 people (16,977 total deaths)
> Avg. new daily cases in the last week: 8 per 100,000 people (total: 601)
> Population: 7,171,646

These are all the counties in Arizona where COVID-19 is slowing (and where it’s still getting worse).

Source: Sean Pavone / Getty Images

5. Tennessee
> Cumulative cases of COVID-19 as of April 4: 12,018 per 100,000 people (813,614 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of April 4: 176 per 100,000 people (11,915 total deaths)
> Avg. new daily cases in the last week: 16 per 100,000 people (total: 1,086)
> Population: 6,770,010

These are all the counties in Tennessee where COVID-19 is slowing (and where it’s still getting worse).

Source: Bill_Dally / iStock

4. Utah
> Cumulative cases of COVID-19 as of April 4: 12,215 per 100,000 people (386,128 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of April 4: 67 per 100,000 people (2,125 total deaths)
> Avg. new daily cases in the last week: 13 per 100,000 people (total: 410)
> Population: 3,161,105

These are all the counties in Utah where COVID-19 is slowing (and where it’s still getting worse).

Source: SeanPavonePhoto / Getty Images

3. Rhode Island
> Cumulative cases of COVID-19 as of April 4: 13,038 per 100,000 people (137,848 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of April 4: 248 per 100,000 people (2,624 total deaths)
> Avg. new daily cases in the last week: 35 per 100,000 people (total: 365)
> Population: 1,057,315

These are all the counties in Rhode Island where COVID-19 is slowing (and where it’s still getting worse).

Source: EunikaSopotnicka / Getty Images

2. South Dakota
> Cumulative cases of COVID-19 as of April 4: 13,374 per 100,000 people (117,989 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of April 4: 220 per 100,000 people (1,938 total deaths)
> Avg. new daily cases in the last week: 22 per 100,000 people (total: 195)
> Population: 882,235

These are all the counties in South Dakota where COVID-19 is slowing (and where it’s still getting worse).

Source: csfotoimages / Getty Images

1. North Dakota
> Cumulative cases of COVID-19 as of April 4: 13,612 per 100,000 people (103,460 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of April 4: 193 per 100,000 people (1,466 total deaths)
> Avg. new daily cases in the last week: 20 per 100,000 people (total: 154)
> Population: 760,077

These are all the counties in North Dakota where COVID-19 is slowing (and where it’s still getting worse).

Click here to see all coronavirus data for every state.