Special Report

States With the Most Cases of COVID-19

Samuel Stebbins

Published: May 30, 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 23,942 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 32,844,500 reported cases of COVID-19 nationwide — or 10,039 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 2,443 to as high as 14,443, 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 27, 2021.

Source: maximkabb / iStock

51. Hawaii
> Cumulative cases of COVID-19 as of May 27: 2,443 per 100,000 people (34,708 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of May 27: 35 per 100,000 people (493 total deaths)
> Avg. new daily cases in the last week: 19.7 per 100,000 people (total: 280)
> 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 27: 3,854 per 100,000 people (24,136 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of May 27: 41 per 100,000 people (255 total deaths)
> Avg. new daily cases in the last week: 4.4 per 100,000 people (total: 27)
> 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 27: 4,758 per 100,000 people (199,391 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of May 27: 63 per 100,000 people (2,628 total deaths)
> Avg. new daily cases in the last week: 10.2 per 100,000 people (total: 429)
> 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 27: 5,028 per 100,000 people (67,295 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of May 27: 62 per 100,000 people (825 total deaths)
> Avg. new daily cases in the last week: 10.5 per 100,000 people (total: 140)
> 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 27: 5,712 per 100,000 people (430,415 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of May 27: 76 per 100,000 people (5,722 total deaths)
> Avg. new daily cases in the last week: 12.1 per 100,000 people (total: 909)
> 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 27: 7,130 per 100,000 people (48,803 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of May 27: 165 per 100,000 people (1,130 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 27: 7,256 per 100,000 people (98,428 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of May 27: 99 per 100,000 people (1,344 total deaths)
> Avg. new daily cases in the last week: 5.5 per 100,000 people (total: 75)
> 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 27: 7,591 per 100,000 people (458,680 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of May 27: 149 per 100,000 people (9,029 total deaths)
> Avg. new daily cases in the last week: 5.3 per 100,000 people (total: 322)
> 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 27: 7,914 per 100,000 people (674,082 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of May 27: 131 per 100,000 people (11,143 total deaths)
> Avg. new daily cases in the last week: 4.6 per 100,000 people (total: 394)
> 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 27: 8,893 per 100,000 people (160,587 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of May 27: 154 per 100,000 people (2,782 total deaths)
> Avg. new daily cases in the last week: 13.4 per 100,000 people (total: 243)
> 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 27: 9,120 per 100,000 people (67,252 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of May 27: 49 per 100,000 people (362 total deaths)
> Avg. new daily cases in the last week: 7.5 per 100,000 people (total: 55)
> 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 27: 9,350 per 100,000 people (1,197,468 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of May 27: 211 per 100,000 people (27,085 total deaths)
> Avg. new daily cases in the last week: 9.6 per 100,000 people (total: 1,232)
> 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 27: 9,468 per 100,000 people (539,261 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of May 27: 114 per 100,000 people (6,520 total deaths)
> Avg. new daily cases in the last week: 15.4 per 100,000 people (total: 877)
> 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 27: 9,290 per 100,000 people (3,674,662 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of May 27: 156 per 100,000 people (61,770 total deaths)
> Avg. new daily cases in the last week: 2.9 per 100,000 people (total: 1,153)
> 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 27: 9,398 per 100,000 people (1,098,593 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of May 27: 169 per 100,000 people (19,753 total deaths)
> Avg. new daily cases in the last week: 7.3 per 100,000 people (total: 854)
> 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 27: 9,618 per 100,000 people (998,701 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of May 27: 125 per 100,000 people (13,004 total deaths)
> Avg. new daily cases in the last week: 8.4 per 100,000 people (total: 875)
> 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 27: 9,659 per 100,000 people (202,405 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of May 27: 203 per 100,000 people (4,251 total deaths)
> Avg. new daily cases in the last week: 7.3 per 100,000 people (total: 153)
> 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 27: 9,710 per 100,000 people (346,892 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of May 27: 230 per 100,000 people (8,221 total deaths)
> Avg. new daily cases in the last week: 4.7 per 100,000 people (total: 167)
> 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 27: 9,751 per 100,000 people (597,367 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of May 27: 148 per 100,000 people (9,071 total deaths)
> Avg. new daily cases in the last week: 7.1 per 100,000 people (total: 436)
> 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 27: 9,894 per 100,000 people (988,947 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of May 27: 202 per 100,000 people (20,225 total deaths)
> Avg. new daily cases in the last week: 12.1 per 100,000 people (total: 1,214)
> 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 27: 10,074 per 100,000 people (469,445 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of May 27: 226 per 100,000 people (10,548 total deaths)
> Avg. new daily cases in the last week: 9.2 per 100,000 people (total: 429)
> 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 27: 10,219 per 100,000 people (456,626 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of May 27: 151 per 100,000 people (6,725 total deaths)
> Avg. new daily cases in the last week: 10.1 per 100,000 people (total: 452)
> 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 27: 10,223 per 100,000 people (705,598 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of May 27: 258 per 100,000 people (17,835 total deaths)
> Avg. new daily cases in the last week: 5.8 per 100,000 people (total: 403)
> 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 27: 10,232 per 100,000 people (2,936,733 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of May 27: 175 per 100,000 people (50,198 total deaths)
> Avg. new daily cases in the last week: 6.1 per 100,000 people (total: 1,752)
> 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 27: 10,363 per 100,000 people (59,870 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of May 27: 124 per 100,000 people (719 total deaths)
> Avg. new daily cases in the last week: 13.6 per 100,000 people (total: 78)
> 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 27: 10,484 per 100,000 people (111,377 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of May 27: 151 per 100,000 people (1,606 total deaths)
> Avg. new daily cases in the last week: 6.9 per 100,000 people (total: 74)
> 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 27: 10,660 per 100,000 people (2,270,571 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of May 27: 172 per 100,000 people (36,581 total deaths)
> Avg. new daily cases in the last week: 11.2 per 100,000 people (total: 2,382)
> 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 27: 10,684 per 100,000 people (599,477 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of May 27: 133 per 100,000 people (7,474 total deaths)
> Avg. new daily cases in the last week: 10.0 per 100,000 people (total: 564)
> 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 27: 10,645 per 100,000 people (323,022 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of May 27: 183 per 100,000 people (5,563 total deaths)
> Avg. new daily cases in the last week: 7.8 per 100,000 people (total: 236)
> 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 27: 10,617 per 100,000 people (317,065 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of May 27: 244 per 100,000 people (7,302 total deaths)
> Avg. new daily cases in the last week: 5.6 per 100,000 people (total: 168)
> 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 27: 10,656 per 100,000 people (1,120,923 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of May 27: 197 per 100,000 people (20,699 total deaths)
> Avg. new daily cases in the last week: 5.6 per 100,000 people (total: 593)
> 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 27: 10,725 per 100,000 people (2,095,822 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of May 27: 271 per 100,000 people (52,896 total deaths)
> Avg. new daily cases in the last week: 6.4 per 100,000 people (total: 1,253)
> 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 27: 10,810 per 100,000 people (1,377,249 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of May 27: 196 per 100,000 people (25,029 total deaths)
> Avg. new daily cases in the last week: 9.6 per 100,000 people (total: 1,220)
> 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 27: 10,760 per 100,000 people (313,274 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of May 27: 174 per 100,000 people (5,058 total deaths)
> Avg. new daily cases in the last week: 5.9 per 100,000 people (total: 172)
> 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 27: 10,919 per 100,000 people (191,546 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of May 27: 119 per 100,000 people (2,087 total deaths)
> Avg. new daily cases in the last week: 8.7 per 100,000 people (total: 153)
> 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 27: 11,106 per 100,000 people (542,828 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of May 27: 228 per 100,000 people (11,136 total deaths)
> Avg. new daily cases in the last week: 5.7 per 100,000 people (total: 277)
> 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 27: 11,074 per 100,000 people (741,053 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of May 27: 203 per 100,000 people (13,566 total deaths)
> Avg. new daily cases in the last week: 9.8 per 100,000 people (total: 653)
> 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 27: 11,209 per 100,000 people (108,409 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of May 27: 172 per 100,000 people (1,659 total deaths)
> Avg. new daily cases in the last week: 18.2 per 100,000 people (total: 176)
> 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 27: 11,298 per 100,000 people (340,515 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of May 27: 193 per 100,000 people (5,824 total deaths)
> Avg. new daily cases in the last week: 6.4 per 100,000 people (total: 193)
> 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 27: 11,389 per 100,000 people (1,014,579 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of May 27: 293 per 100,000 people (26,124 total deaths)
> Avg. new daily cases in the last week: 4.5 per 100,000 people (total: 404)
> 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 27: 11,476 per 100,000 people (452,496 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of May 27: 185 per 100,000 people (7,291 total deaths)
> Avg. new daily cases in the last week: 3.7 per 100,000 people (total: 146)
> 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 27: 11,577 per 100,000 people (673,023 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of May 27: 133 per 100,000 people (7,760 total deaths)
> Avg. new daily cases in the last week: 6.5 per 100,000 people (total: 380)
> 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 27: 11,641 per 100,000 people (591,862 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of May 27: 191 per 100,000 people (9,708 total deaths)
> Avg. new daily cases in the last week: 6.7 per 100,000 people (total: 339)
> 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 27: 11,565 per 100,000 people (223,126 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of May 27: 117 per 100,000 people (2,249 total deaths)
> Avg. new daily cases in the last week: 3.8 per 100,000 people (total: 73)
> 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 27: 11,751 per 100,000 people (370,875 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of May 27: 191 per 100,000 people (6,039 total deaths)
> Avg. new daily cases in the last week: 5.4 per 100,000 people (total: 169)
> 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 27: 12,238 per 100,000 people (877,682 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of May 27: 245 per 100,000 people (17,569 total deaths)
> Avg. new daily cases in the last week: 7.2 per 100,000 people (total: 517)
> 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 27: 12,722 per 100,000 people (861,313 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of May 27: 183 per 100,000 people (12,400 total deaths)
> Avg. new daily cases in the last week: 5.3 per 100,000 people (total: 358)
> 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 27: 12,806 per 100,000 people (404,810 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of May 27: 73 per 100,000 people (2,292 total deaths)
> Avg. new daily cases in the last week: 8.2 per 100,000 people (total: 260)
> 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 27: 14,058 per 100,000 people (124,023 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of May 27: 227 per 100,000 people (2,004 total deaths)
> Avg. new daily cases in the last week: 3.9 per 100,000 people (total: 34)
> 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 27: 14,329 per 100,000 people (151,502 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of May 27: 256 per 100,000 people (2,707 total deaths)
> Avg. new daily cases in the last week: 10.3 per 100,000 people (total: 109)
> 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 27: 14,443 per 100,000 people (109,780 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of May 27: 199 per 100,000 people (1,509 total deaths)
> Avg. new daily cases in the last week: 7.9 per 100,000 people (total: 60)
> 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.