Special Report

COVID-19: This State Is Being Hit Hardest by the Virus

Samuel Stebbins

Published: May 14, 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 43,072 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 32,424,600 reported cases of COVID-19 nationwide — or 9,911 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 2,264 to as high as 14,295, 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 May 12, 2021.

Source: maximkabb / iStock

51. Hawaii
> Cumulative cases of COVID-19 as of May 12: 2,264 per 100,000 people (32,163 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of May 12: 34 per 100,000 people (485 total deaths)
> Avg. new daily cases in the last week: 5.7 per 100,000 people (total: 81)
> 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 May 12: 3,759 per 100,000 people (23,541 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of May 12: 40 per 100,000 people (249 total deaths)
> Avg. new daily cases in the last week: 8.7 per 100,000 people (total: 55)
> 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 May 12: 4,576 per 100,000 people (191,774 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of May 12: 60 per 100,000 people (2,533 total deaths)
> Avg. new daily cases in the last week: 16.7 per 100,000 people (total: 700)
> 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 May 12: 4,815 per 100,000 people (64,446 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of May 12: 60 per 100,000 people (797 total deaths)
> Avg. new daily cases in the last week: 20.7 per 100,000 people (total: 277)
> 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 May 12: 5,517 per 100,000 people (415,705 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of May 12: 74 per 100,000 people (5,586 total deaths)
> Avg. new daily cases in the last week: 16.1 per 100,000 people (total: 1,216)
> Population: 7,535,591

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

Source: Matt Anderson / iStock via Getty Images

46. Washington D.C.
> Cumulative cases of COVID-19 as of May 12: 7,041 per 100,000 people (48,195 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of May 12: 162 per 100,000 people (1,110 total deaths)
> Avg. new daily cases in the last week: 5.9 per 100,000 people (total: 42)
> Population: 702,455

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

Source: DenisTangneyJr / Getty Images

45. New Hampshire
> Cumulative cases of COVID-19 as of May 12: 7,136 per 100,000 people (96,801 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of May 12: 97 per 100,000 people (1,315 total deaths)
> Avg. new daily cases in the last week: 13.6 per 100,000 people (total: 185)
> 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: Davel5957 / Getty Images

44. Maryland
> Cumulative cases of COVID-19 as of May 12: 7,510 per 100,000 people (453,800 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of May 12: 147 per 100,000 people (8,870 total deaths)
> Avg. new daily cases in the last week: 9.0 per 100,000 people (total: 541)
> 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 May 12: 7,838 per 100,000 people (667,586 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of May 12: 128 per 100,000 people (10,919 total deaths)
> Avg. new daily cases in the last week: 8.2 per 100,000 people (total: 699)
> 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 May 12: 8,673 per 100,000 people (156,617 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of May 12: 151 per 100,000 people (2,729 total deaths)
> Avg. new daily cases in the last week: 19.1 per 100,000 people (total: 344)
> 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 May 12: 8,997 per 100,000 people (66,350 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of May 12: 47 per 100,000 people (343 total deaths)
> Avg. new daily cases in the last week: 13.0 per 100,000 people (total: 96)
> Population: 737,438

These are all the counties in Alaska 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 May 12: 9,172 per 100,000 people (1,174,687 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of May 12: 207 per 100,000 people (26,550 total deaths)
> Avg. new daily cases in the last week: 18.1 per 100,000 people (total: 2,314)
> 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 May 12: 9,203 per 100,000 people (524,190 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of May 12: 112 per 100,000 people (6,357 total deaths)
> Avg. new daily cases in the last week: 23.8 per 100,000 people (total: 1,353)
> Population: 5,695,564

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

Source: choness / Getty Images

38. California
> Cumulative cases of COVID-19 as of May 12: 9,242 per 100,000 people (3,655,922 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of May 12: 155 per 100,000 people (61,241 total deaths)
> Avg. new daily cases in the last week: 4.3 per 100,000 people (total: 1,704)
> 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

37. Ohio
> Cumulative cases of COVID-19 as of May 12: 9,276 per 100,000 people (1,084,322 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of May 12: 166 per 100,000 people (19,428 total deaths)
> Avg. new daily cases in the last week: 10.2 per 100,000 people (total: 1,189)
> Population: 11,689,442

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

Source: Sean Pavone / Getty Images

36. North Carolina
> Cumulative cases of COVID-19 as of May 12: 9,479 per 100,000 people (984,251 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of May 12: 123 per 100,000 people (12,790 total deaths)
> Avg. new daily cases in the last week: 13.7 per 100,000 people (total: 1,419)
> 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: ferrantraite / Getty Images

35. New Mexico
> Cumulative cases of COVID-19 as of May 12: 9,540 per 100,000 people (199,901 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of May 12: 196 per 100,000 people (4,106 total deaths)
> Avg. new daily cases in the last week: 10.4 per 100,000 people (total: 218)
> 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: SeanPavonePhoto / Getty Images

34. Connecticut
> Cumulative cases of COVID-19 as of May 12: 9,616 per 100,000 people (343,545 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of May 12: 228 per 100,000 people (8,154 total deaths)
> Avg. new daily cases in the last week: 12.0 per 100,000 people (total: 429)
> Population: 3,572,665

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

Source: iip-photo-archive / Flickr

33. Missouri
> Cumulative cases of COVID-19 as of May 12: 9,645 per 100,000 people (590,908 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of May 12: 144 per 100,000 people (8,835 total deaths)
> Avg. new daily cases in the last week: 8.0 per 100,000 people (total: 487)
> Population: 6,126,452

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

Source: pawel.gaul / Getty Images

32. Michigan
> Cumulative cases of COVID-19 as of May 12: 9,653 per 100,000 people (964,943 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of May 12: 194 per 100,000 people (19,411 total deaths)
> Avg. new daily cases in the last week: 27.5 per 100,000 people (total: 2,744)
> Population: 9,995,915

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

Source: f11photo / Getty Images

31. Louisiana
> Cumulative cases of COVID-19 as of May 12: 9,933 per 100,000 people (462,868 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of May 12: 224 per 100,000 people (10,438 total deaths)
> Avg. new daily cases in the last week: 10.8 per 100,000 people (total: 504)
> 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

30. Kentucky
> Cumulative cases of COVID-19 as of May 12: 10,051 per 100,000 people (449,107 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of May 12: 148 per 100,000 people (6,597 total deaths)
> Avg. new daily cases in the last week: 11.7 per 100,000 people (total: 523)
> Population: 4,468,402

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

Source: SeanPavonePhoto / Getty Images

29. Massachusetts
> Cumulative cases of COVID-19 as of May 12: 10,111 per 100,000 people (697,872 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of May 12: 256 per 100,000 people (17,698 total deaths)
> Avg. new daily cases in the last week: 82.2 per 100,000 people (total: 5,675)
> Population: 6,902,149

These are all the counties in Massachusetts 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 May 12: 10,124 per 100,000 people (2,905,863 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of May 12: 173 per 100,000 people (49,594 total deaths)
> Avg. new daily cases in the last week: 8.1 per 100,000 people (total: 2,329)
> 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 May 12: 10,171 per 100,000 people (58,764 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of May 12: 123 per 100,000 people (710 total deaths)
> Avg. new daily cases in the last week: 11.7 per 100,000 people (total: 68)
> Population: 577,737

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

Source: peeterv / Getty Images

26. Montana
> Cumulative cases of COVID-19 as of May 12: 10,349 per 100,000 people (109,935 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of May 12: 150 per 100,000 people (1,592 total deaths)
> Avg. new daily cases in the last week: 11.3 per 100,000 people (total: 120)
> Population: 1,062,305

These are all the counties in Montana 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 May 12: 10,468 per 100,000 people (2,229,567 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of May 12: 168 per 100,000 people (35,783 total deaths)
> Avg. new daily cases in the last week: 17.3 per 100,000 people (total: 3,680)
> Population: 21,299,325

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

Source: Scruggelgreen / Getty Images

24. Minnesota
> Cumulative cases of COVID-19 as of May 12: 10,496 per 100,000 people (588,952 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of May 12: 131 per 100,000 people (7,324 total deaths)
> Avg. new daily cases in the last week: 21.9 per 100,000 people (total: 1,230)
> Population: 5,611,179

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

Source: f11photo / Getty Images

23. Nevada
> Cumulative cases of COVID-19 as of May 12: 10,506 per 100,000 people (318,780 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of May 12: 181 per 100,000 people (5,506 total deaths)
> Avg. new daily cases in the last week: 12.0 per 100,000 people (total: 363)
> Population: 3,034,392

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

Source: SeanPavonePhoto / Getty Images

22. Mississippi
> Cumulative cases of COVID-19 as of May 12: 10,512 per 100,000 people (313,942 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of May 12: 242 per 100,000 people (7,240 total deaths)
> Avg. new daily cases in the last week: 6.4 per 100,000 people (total: 191)
> Population: 2,986,530

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

Source: Sean Pavone / Getty Images

21. Georgia
> Cumulative cases of COVID-19 as of May 12: 10,556 per 100,000 people (1,110,418 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of May 12: 194 per 100,000 people (20,368 total deaths)
> Avg. new daily cases in the last week: 9.2 per 100,000 people (total: 966)
> Population: 10,519,475

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

Source: FilippoBacci / Getty Images

20. New York
> Cumulative cases of COVID-19 as of May 12: 10,607 per 100,000 people (2,072,795 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of May 12: 268 per 100,000 people (52,460 total deaths)
> Avg. new daily cases in the last week: 11.8 per 100,000 people (total: 2,305)
> 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

19. Illinois
> Cumulative cases of COVID-19 as of May 12: 10,646 per 100,000 people (1,356,391 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of May 12: 193 per 100,000 people (24,590 total deaths)
> Avg. new daily cases in the last week: 16.4 per 100,000 people (total: 2,088)
> Population: 12,741,080

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

Source: Sean Pavone / iStock via Getty Images

18. Kansas
> Cumulative cases of COVID-19 as of May 12: 10,679 per 100,000 people (310,927 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of May 12: 172 per 100,000 people (5,016 total deaths)
> Avg. new daily cases in the last week: 6.3 per 100,000 people (total: 183)
> 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

17. Idaho
> Cumulative cases of COVID-19 as of May 12: 10,781 per 100,000 people (189,128 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of May 12: 117 per 100,000 people (2,061 total deaths)
> Avg. new daily cases in the last week: 9.0 per 100,000 people (total: 158)
> Population: 1,754,208

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

Source: Kruck20 / Getty Images

16. Alabama
> Cumulative cases of COVID-19 as of May 12: 10,866 per 100,000 people (531,094 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of May 12: 225 per 100,000 people (10,978 total deaths)
> Avg. new daily cases in the last week: 6.8 per 100,000 people (total: 330)
> Population: 4,887,871

These are all the counties in Alabama 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 May 12: 10,913 per 100,000 people (730,306 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of May 12: 201 per 100,000 people (13,419 total deaths)
> Avg. new daily cases in the last week: 14.7 per 100,000 people (total: 980)
> Population: 6,691,878

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

Source: mdgmorris / Getty Images

14. Delaware
> Cumulative cases of COVID-19 as of May 12: 10,986 per 100,000 people (106,252 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of May 12: 170 per 100,000 people (1,641 total deaths)
> Avg. new daily cases in the last week: 17.5 per 100,000 people (total: 169)
> 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 / Getty Images

13. Arkansas
> Cumulative cases of COVID-19 as of May 12: 11,201 per 100,000 people (337,586 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of May 12: 191 per 100,000 people (5,764 total deaths)
> Avg. new daily cases in the last week: 6.7 per 100,000 people (total: 203)
> Population: 3,013,825

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

Source: SeanPavonePhoto / Getty Images

12. New Jersey
> Cumulative cases of COVID-19 as of May 12: 11,316 per 100,000 people (1,008,046 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of May 12: 290 per 100,000 people (25,810 total deaths)
> Avg. new daily cases in the last week: 11.3 per 100,000 people (total: 1,008)
> 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: DenisTangneyJr / Getty Images

11. Oklahoma
> Cumulative cases of COVID-19 as of May 12: 11,423 per 100,000 people (450,400 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of May 12: 174 per 100,000 people (6,878 total deaths)
> Avg. new daily cases in the last week: 4.9 per 100,000 people (total: 194)
> Population: 3,943,079

These are all the counties in Oklahoma 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 May 12: 11,463 per 100,000 people (666,401 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of May 12: 132 per 100,000 people (7,652 total deaths)
> Avg. new daily cases in the last week: 10.6 per 100,000 people (total: 619)
> 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. South Carolina
> Cumulative cases of COVID-19 as of May 12: 11,476 per 100,000 people (583,475 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of May 12: 188 per 100,000 people (9,572 total deaths)
> Avg. new daily cases in the last week: 8.3 per 100,000 people (total: 423)
> 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

8. Nebraska
> Cumulative cases of COVID-19 as of May 12: 11,502 per 100,000 people (221,911 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of May 12: 116 per 100,000 people (2,247 total deaths)
> Avg. new daily cases in the last week: 12.5 per 100,000 people (total: 241)
> Population: 1,929,268

These are all the counties in Nebraska 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 May 12: 11,657 per 100,000 people (367,909 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of May 12: 190 per 100,000 people (5,985 total deaths)
> Avg. new daily cases in the last week: 10.4 per 100,000 people (total: 327)
> 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 May 12: 12,124 per 100,000 people (869,472 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of May 12: 243 per 100,000 people (17,409 total deaths)
> Avg. new daily cases in the last week: 9.7 per 100,000 people (total: 699)
> 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 May 12: 12,620 per 100,000 people (854,360 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of May 12: 181 per 100,000 people (12,276 total deaths)
> Avg. new daily cases in the last week: 10.4 per 100,000 people (total: 703)
> 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 May 12: 12,671 per 100,000 people (400,559 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of May 12: 70 per 100,000 people (2,225 total deaths)
> Avg. new daily cases in the last week: 10.5 per 100,000 people (total: 331)
> Population: 3,161,105

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

Source: EunikaSopotnicka / Getty Images

3. South Dakota
> Cumulative cases of COVID-19 as of May 12: 13,977 per 100,000 people (123,310 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of May 12: 225 per 100,000 people (1,981 total deaths)
> Avg. new daily cases in the last week: 9.1 per 100,000 people (total: 81)
> Population: 882,235

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

Source: SeanPavonePhoto / Getty Images

2. Rhode Island
> Cumulative cases of COVID-19 as of May 12: 14,182 per 100,000 people (149,948 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of May 12: 254 per 100,000 people (2,690 total deaths)
> Avg. new daily cases in the last week: 17.3 per 100,000 people (total: 183)
> 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: csfotoimages / Getty Images

1. North Dakota
> Cumulative cases of COVID-19 as of May 12: 14,295 per 100,000 people (108,652 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of May 12: 198 per 100,000 people (1,502 total deaths)
> Avg. new daily cases in the last week: 13.9 per 100,000 people (total: 106)
> 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.