Special Report

States With the Highest Number of COVID-19 Cases

Samuel Stebbins

Published: April 26, 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 63,950 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 31,466,900 reported cases of COVID-19 nationwide — or 9,618 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 2,145 to as high as 13,975, 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 Midwest.

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 22, 2021.

Source: maximkabb / iStock

51. Hawaii
> Cumulative cases of COVID-19 as of April 22: 2,145 per 100,000 people (30,471 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of April 22: 33 per 100,000 people (471 total deaths)
> Avg. new daily cases in the last week: 5.6 per 100,000 people (total: 79)
> 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 22: 3,539 per 100,000 people (22,165 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of April 22: 39 per 100,000 people (242 total deaths)
> Avg. new daily cases in the last week: 17.7 per 100,000 people (total: 111)
> Population: 626,299

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

Source: 4nadia / Getty Images

49. Oregon
> Cumulative cases of COVID-19 as of April 22: 4,204 per 100,000 people (176,157 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of April 22: 59 per 100,000 people (2,460 total deaths)
> Avg. new daily cases in the last week: 16.2 per 100,000 people (total: 680)
> Population: 4,190,713

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

Source: SeanPavonePhoto / Getty Images

48. Maine
> Cumulative cases of COVID-19 as of April 22: 4,368 per 100,000 people (58,466 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of April 22: 57 per 100,000 people (768 total deaths)
> Avg. new daily cases in the last week: 33.0 per 100,000 people (total: 442)
> Population: 1,338,404

These are all the counties in Maine 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 22: 5,158 per 100,000 people (388,718 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of April 22: 72 per 100,000 people (5,407 total deaths)
> Avg. new daily cases in the last week: 18.3 per 100,000 people (total: 1,376)
> 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 22: 6,786 per 100,000 people (92,053 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of April 22: 94 per 100,000 people (1,271 total deaths)
> Avg. new daily cases in the last week: 25.8 per 100,000 people (total: 350)
> 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 22: 6,847 per 100,000 people (46,869 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of April 22: 160 per 100,000 people (1,097 total deaths)
> Avg. new daily cases in the last week: 17.3 per 100,000 people (total: 122)
> 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 22: 7,261 per 100,000 people (438,789 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of April 22: 142 per 100,000 people (8,605 total deaths)
> Avg. new daily cases in the last week: 19.9 per 100,000 people (total: 1,205)
> 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 22: 7,627 per 100,000 people (649,608 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of April 22: 125 per 100,000 people (10,640 total deaths)
> Avg. new daily cases in the last week: 15.8 per 100,000 people (total: 1,342)
> Population: 8,517,685

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

Source: Sean Pavone / Getty Images

42. West Virginia
> Cumulative cases of COVID-19 as of April 22: 8,277 per 100,000 people (149,462 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of April 22: 154 per 100,000 people (2,789 total deaths)
> Avg. new daily cases in the last week: 21.1 per 100,000 people (total: 382)
> 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: volvob12b / Flickr

41. Alaska
> Cumulative cases of COVID-19 as of April 22: 8,649 per 100,000 people (63,778 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of April 22: 45 per 100,000 people (329 total deaths)
> Avg. new daily cases in the last week: 21.3 per 100,000 people (total: 157)
> Population: 737,438

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

Source: f11photo / Getty Images

40. Colorado
> Cumulative cases of COVID-19 as of April 22: 8,656 per 100,000 people (493,029 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of April 22: 109 per 100,000 people (6,211 total deaths)
> Avg. new daily cases in the last week: 28.9 per 100,000 people (total: 1,648)
> Population: 5,695,564

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

Source: SeanPavonePhoto / Getty Images

39. Pennsylvania
> Cumulative cases of COVID-19 as of April 22: 8,697 per 100,000 people (1,113,868 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of April 22: 201 per 100,000 people (25,767 total deaths)
> Avg. new daily cases in the last week: 35.5 per 100,000 people (total: 4,544)
> Population: 12,807,060

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

Source: pawel.gaul / Getty Images

38. Michigan
> Cumulative cases of COVID-19 as of April 22: 8,898 per 100,000 people (889,472 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of April 22: 181 per 100,000 people (18,086 total deaths)
> Avg. new daily cases in the last week: 68.9 per 100,000 people (total: 6,891)
> 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

37. Ohio
> Cumulative cases of COVID-19 as of April 22: 9,039 per 100,000 people (1,056,606 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of April 22: 163 per 100,000 people (19,033 total deaths)
> Avg. new daily cases in the last week: 15.7 per 100,000 people (total: 1,840)
> Population: 11,689,442

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

Source: choness / Getty Images

36. California
> Cumulative cases of COVID-19 as of April 22: 9,152 per 100,000 people (3,620,301 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of April 22: 151 per 100,000 people (59,804 total deaths)
> Avg. new daily cases in the last week: 5.7 per 100,000 people (total: 2,272)
> Population: 39,557,045

These are all the counties in California 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 22: 9,154 per 100,000 people (950,566 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of April 22: 120 per 100,000 people (12,437 total deaths)
> Avg. new daily cases in the last week: 19.5 per 100,000 people (total: 2,020)
> 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. Connecticut
> Cumulative cases of COVID-19 as of April 22: 9,297 per 100,000 people (332,139 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of April 22: 224 per 100,000 people (8,020 total deaths)
> Avg. new daily cases in the last week: 25.8 per 100,000 people (total: 921)
> Population: 3,572,665

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

Source: SeanPavonePhoto / Getty Images

33. Massachusetts
> Cumulative cases of COVID-19 as of April 22: 9,324 per 100,000 people (643,571 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of April 22: 251 per 100,000 people (17,346 total deaths)
> Avg. new daily cases in the last week: 22.8 per 100,000 people (total: 1,573)
> Population: 6,902,149

These are all the counties in Massachusetts 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 22: 9,335 per 100,000 people (195,615 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of April 22: 191 per 100,000 people (4,010 total deaths)
> Avg. new daily cases in the last week: 9.9 per 100,000 people (total: 207)
> 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: iip-photo-archive / Flickr

31. Missouri
> Cumulative cases of COVID-19 as of April 22: 9,447 per 100,000 people (578,739 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of April 22: 142 per 100,000 people (8,689 total deaths)
> Avg. new daily cases in the last week: 8.1 per 100,000 people (total: 498)
> Population: 6,126,452

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

Source: f11photo / Getty Images

30. Louisiana
> Cumulative cases of COVID-19 as of April 22: 9,736 per 100,000 people (453,711 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of April 22: 221 per 100,000 people (10,306 total deaths)
> Avg. new daily cases in the last week: 10.5 per 100,000 people (total: 490)
> 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

29. Kentucky
> Cumulative cases of COVID-19 as of April 22: 9,805 per 100,000 people (438,147 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of April 22: 142 per 100,000 people (6,360 total deaths)
> Avg. new daily cases in the last week: 12.8 per 100,000 people (total: 571)
> Population: 4,468,402

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

Source: RoschetzkyIstockPhoto / Getty Images

28. Texas
> Cumulative cases of COVID-19 as of April 22: 9,926 per 100,000 people (2,848,820 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of April 22: 170 per 100,000 people (48,677 total deaths)
> Avg. new daily cases in the last week: 11.0 per 100,000 people (total: 3,145)
> 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

27. Wyoming
> Cumulative cases of COVID-19 as of April 22: 9,945 per 100,000 people (57,456 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of April 22: 122 per 100,000 people (705 total deaths)
> Avg. new daily cases in the last week: 9.5 per 100,000 people (total: 55)
> Population: 577,737

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

Source: Scruggelgreen / Getty Images

26. Minnesota
> Cumulative cases of COVID-19 as of April 22: 9,960 per 100,000 people (558,850 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of April 22: 127 per 100,000 people (7,109 total deaths)
> Avg. new daily cases in the last week: 34.2 per 100,000 people (total: 1,921)
> Population: 5,611,179

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

Source: SeanPavonePhoto / Getty Images

25. Florida
> Cumulative cases of COVID-19 as of April 22: 10,037 per 100,000 people (2,137,862 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of April 22: 162 per 100,000 people (34,533 total deaths)
> Avg. new daily cases in the last week: 29.0 per 100,000 people (total: 6,170)
> Population: 21,299,325

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

Source: peeterv / Getty Images

24. Montana
> Cumulative cases of COVID-19 as of April 22: 10,108 per 100,000 people (107,379 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of April 22: 146 per 100,000 people (1,552 total deaths)
> Avg. new daily cases in the last week: 12.8 per 100,000 people (total: 136)
> Population: 1,062,305

These are all the counties in Montana 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 22: 10,256 per 100,000 people (1,306,787 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of April 22: 188 per 100,000 people (23,989 total deaths)
> Avg. new daily cases in the last week: 24.0 per 100,000 people (total: 3,056)
> Population: 12,741,080

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

Source: f11photo / Getty Images

22. Nevada
> Cumulative cases of COVID-19 as of April 22: 10,260 per 100,000 people (311,314 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of April 22: 177 per 100,000 people (5,377 total deaths)
> Avg. new daily cases in the last week: 12.0 per 100,000 people (total: 366)
> Population: 3,034,392

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

Source: FilippoBacci / Getty Images

21. New York
> Cumulative cases of COVID-19 as of April 22: 10,282 per 100,000 people (2,009,334 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of April 22: 263 per 100,000 people (51,435 total deaths)
> Avg. new daily cases in the last week: 29.1 per 100,000 people (total: 5,683)
> 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: Sean Pavone / Getty Images

20. Georgia
> Cumulative cases of COVID-19 as of April 22: 10,328 per 100,000 people (1,086,473 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of April 22: 188 per 100,000 people (19,798 total deaths)
> Avg. new daily cases in the last week: 13.3 per 100,000 people (total: 1,404)
> 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

19. Mississippi
> Cumulative cases of COVID-19 as of April 22: 10,374 per 100,000 people (309,818 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of April 22: 240 per 100,000 people (7,163 total deaths)
> Avg. new daily cases in the last week: 8.2 per 100,000 people (total: 244)
> Population: 2,986,530

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

Source: mdgmorris / Getty Images

18. Delaware
> Cumulative cases of COVID-19 as of April 22: 10,516 per 100,000 people (101,707 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of April 22: 166 per 100,000 people (1,603 total deaths)
> Avg. new daily cases in the last week: 38.0 per 100,000 people (total: 367)
> Population: 967,171

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

Source: Sean Pavone / iStock via Getty Images

17. Kansas
> Cumulative cases of COVID-19 as of April 22: 10,520 per 100,000 people (306,290 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of April 22: 170 per 100,000 people (4,955 total deaths)
> Avg. new daily cases in the last week: 7.7 per 100,000 people (total: 224)
> Population: 2,911,510

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

Source: knowlesgallery / Getty Images

16. Idaho
> Cumulative cases of COVID-19 as of April 22: 10,573 per 100,000 people (185,465 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of April 22: 115 per 100,000 people (2,022 total deaths)
> Avg. new daily cases in the last week: 12.7 per 100,000 people (total: 222)
> Population: 1,754,208

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

Source: Davel5957 / Getty Images

15. Indiana
> Cumulative cases of COVID-19 as of April 22: 10,602 per 100,000 people (709,455 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of April 22: 198 per 100,000 people (13,234 total deaths)
> Avg. new daily cases in the last week: 18.5 per 100,000 people (total: 1,240)
> Population: 6,691,878

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

Source: Kruck20 / Getty Images

14. Alabama
> Cumulative cases of COVID-19 as of April 22: 10,719 per 100,000 people (523,955 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of April 22: 221 per 100,000 people (10,798 total deaths)
> Avg. new daily cases in the last week: 10.1 per 100,000 people (total: 493)
> Population: 4,887,871

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

Source: SeanPavonePhoto / Getty Images

13. New Jersey
> Cumulative cases of COVID-19 as of April 22: 11,044 per 100,000 people (983,875 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of April 22: 283 per 100,000 people (25,206 total deaths)
> Avg. new daily cases in the last week: 38.4 per 100,000 people (total: 3,422)
> 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: Sean Pavone / Getty Images

12. Arkansas
> Cumulative cases of COVID-19 as of April 22: 11,073 per 100,000 people (333,709 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of April 22: 189 per 100,000 people (5,706 total deaths)
> Avg. new daily cases in the last week: 6.0 per 100,000 people (total: 180)
> Population: 3,013,825

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

Source: Sean Pavone / Getty Images

11. Wisconsin
> Cumulative cases of COVID-19 as of April 22: 11,230 per 100,000 people (652,879 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of April 22: 128 per 100,000 people (7,427 total deaths)
> Avg. new daily cases in the last week: 14.2 per 100,000 people (total: 827)
> 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

10. South Carolina
> Cumulative cases of COVID-19 as of April 22: 11,238 per 100,000 people (571,369 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of April 22: 184 per 100,000 people (9,365 total deaths)
> Avg. new daily cases in the last week: 18.1 per 100,000 people (total: 920)
> 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

9. Nebraska
> Cumulative cases of COVID-19 as of April 22: 11,253 per 100,000 people (217,108 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of April 22: 115 per 100,000 people (2,222 total deaths)
> Avg. new daily cases in the last week: 18.0 per 100,000 people (total: 347)
> Population: 1,929,268

These are all the counties in Nebraska 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 22: 11,310 per 100,000 people (445,963 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of April 22: 171 per 100,000 people (6,753 total deaths)
> Avg. new daily cases in the last week: 6.1 per 100,000 people (total: 239)
> 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 22: 11,431 per 100,000 people (360,782 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of April 22: 187 per 100,000 people (5,893 total deaths)
> Avg. new daily cases in the last week: 13.8 per 100,000 people (total: 435)
> 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 22: 11,924 per 100,000 people (855,155 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of April 22: 240 per 100,000 people (17,193 total deaths)
> Avg. new daily cases in the last week: 8.6 per 100,000 people (total: 616)
> 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 22: 12,357 per 100,000 people (836,563 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of April 22: 179 per 100,000 people (12,096 total deaths)
> Avg. new daily cases in the last week: 21.5 per 100,000 people (total: 1,456)
> 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 22: 12,441 per 100,000 people (393,272 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of April 22: 69 per 100,000 people (2,174 total deaths)
> Avg. new daily cases in the last week: 11.9 per 100,000 people (total: 375)
> 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 22: 13,748 per 100,000 people (145,358 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of April 22: 251 per 100,000 people (2,654 total deaths)
> Avg. new daily cases in the last week: 34.9 per 100,000 people (total: 369)
> 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 22: 13,756 per 100,000 people (121,360 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of April 22: 221 per 100,000 people (1,953 total deaths)
> Avg. new daily cases in the last week: 19.5 per 100,000 people (total: 172)
> 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 22: 13,975 per 100,000 people (106,218 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of April 22: 195 per 100,000 people (1,484 total deaths)
> Avg. new daily cases in the last week: 18.9 per 100,000 people (total: 143)
> 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.