Special Report

States With the Most Cases of COVID-19

Samuel Stebbins

Published: July 16, 2021 5:45 am

As the Delta variant spreads, new daily cases of COVID-19 are on the rise once again in much of the United States.

Since the first known case was identified in the U.S. on Jan. 21, 2020, there have been a total of 33,452,000 reported cases of COVID-19 nationwide — or 10,225 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 2,585 to as high as 14,579, 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, Utah, 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 eight 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 July 9, 2021.

Source: maximkabb / iStock

51. Hawaii
> Cumulative cases of COVID-19 as of July 9: 2,585 per 100,000 people (36,714 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of July 9: 36 per 100,000 people (515 total deaths)
> 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 July 9: 3,648 per 100,000 people (22,848 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of July 9: 40 per 100,000 people (250 total deaths)
> 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 July 9: 5,005 per 100,000 people (209,764 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of July 9: 67 per 100,000 people (2,788 total deaths)
> 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 July 9: 5,170 per 100,000 people (69,192 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of July 9: 64 per 100,000 people (861 total deaths)
> 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 July 9: 6,026 per 100,000 people (454,068 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of July 9: 79 per 100,000 people (5,973 total deaths)
> 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 July 9: 7,220 per 100,000 people (49,423 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of July 9: 167 per 100,000 people (1,143 total deaths)
> 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 July 9: 7,346 per 100,000 people (99,652 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of July 9: 101 per 100,000 people (1,374 total deaths)
> 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 July 9: 7,659 per 100,000 people (462,835 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of July 9: 161 per 100,000 people (9,758 total deaths)
> 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 July 9: 8,006 per 100,000 people (681,890 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of July 9: 134 per 100,000 people (11,441 total deaths)
> 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 July 9: 9,101 per 100,000 people (164,346 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of July 9: 161 per 100,000 people (2,901 total deaths)
> 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 July 9: 9,313 per 100,000 people (68,674 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of July 9: 50 per 100,000 people (370 total deaths)
> Population: 737,438

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

Source: choness / Getty Images

40. California
> Cumulative cases of COVID-19 as of July 9: 9,407 per 100,000 people (3,721,006 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of July 9: 160 per 100,000 people (63,259 total deaths)
> Population: 39,557,045

These are all the counties in California 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 July 9: 9,474 per 100,000 people (1,213,321 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of July 9: 216 per 100,000 people (27,718 total deaths)
> Population: 12,807,060

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

Source: Sean Pavone / Getty Images

38. Ohio
> Cumulative cases of COVID-19 as of July 9: 9,521 per 100,000 people (1,113,006 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of July 9: 174 per 100,000 people (20,366 total deaths)
> 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

37. North Carolina
> Cumulative cases of COVID-19 as of July 9: 9,787 per 100,000 people (1,016,262 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of July 9: 130 per 100,000 people (13,460 total deaths)
> 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

36. Connecticut
> Cumulative cases of COVID-19 as of July 9: 9,789 per 100,000 people (349,743 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of July 9: 232 per 100,000 people (8,278 total deaths)
> Population: 3,572,665

These are all the counties in Connecticut 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 July 9: 9,831 per 100,000 people (205,996 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of July 9: 207 per 100,000 people (4,347 total deaths)
> 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: f11photo / Getty Images

34. Colorado
> Cumulative cases of COVID-19 as of July 9: 9,840 per 100,000 people (560,419 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of July 9: 120 per 100,000 people (6,824 total deaths)
> Population: 5,695,564

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

Source: pawel.gaul / Getty Images

33. Michigan
> Cumulative cases of COVID-19 as of July 9: 10,016 per 100,000 people (1,001,153 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of July 9: 210 per 100,000 people (21,036 total deaths)
> Population: 9,995,915

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

Source: iip-photo-archive / Flickr

32. Missouri
> Cumulative cases of COVID-19 as of July 9: 10,247 per 100,000 people (627,804 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of July 9: 153 per 100,000 people (9,377 total deaths)
> 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

31. Massachusetts
> Cumulative cases of COVID-19 as of July 9: 10,294 per 100,000 people (710,519 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of July 9: 261 per 100,000 people (18,008 total deaths)
> Population: 6,902,149

These are all the counties in Massachusetts 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 July 9: 10,425 per 100,000 people (485,803 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of July 9: 231 per 100,000 people (10,765 total deaths)
> 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 July 9: 10,434 per 100,000 people (466,244 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of July 9: 162 per 100,000 people (7,250 total deaths)
> 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 July 9: 10,444 per 100,000 people (2,997,665 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of July 9: 179 per 100,000 people (51,384 total deaths)
> Population: 28,701,845

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

Source: peeterv / Getty Images

27. Montana
> Cumulative cases of COVID-19 as of July 9: 10,741 per 100,000 people (114,102 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of July 9: 157 per 100,000 people (1,671 total deaths)
> Population: 1,062,305

These are all the counties in Montana 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 July 9: 10,800 per 100,000 people (606,034 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of July 9: 137 per 100,000 people (7,708 total deaths)
> Population: 5,611,179

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

Source: Sean Pavone / Getty Images

25. Georgia
> Cumulative cases of COVID-19 as of July 9: 10,814 per 100,000 people (1,137,560 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of July 9: 204 per 100,000 people (21,467 total deaths)
> 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

24. New York
> Cumulative cases of COVID-19 as of July 9: 10,828 per 100,000 people (2,116,107 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of July 9: 273 per 100,000 people (53,385 total deaths)
> 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: SeanPavonePhoto / Getty Images

23. Mississippi
> Cumulative cases of COVID-19 as of July 9: 10,837 per 100,000 people (323,641 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of July 9: 249 per 100,000 people (7,437 total deaths)
> Population: 2,986,530

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

Source: Cliff / Wikimedia Commons

22. Wyoming
> Cumulative cases of COVID-19 as of July 9: 10,859 per 100,000 people (62,737 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of July 9: 130 per 100,000 people (751 total deaths)
> 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

21. Illinois
> Cumulative cases of COVID-19 as of July 9: 10,943 per 100,000 people (1,394,235 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of July 9: 202 per 100,000 people (25,733 total deaths)
> 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

20. Kansas
> Cumulative cases of COVID-19 as of July 9: 10,977 per 100,000 people (319,586 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of July 9: 177 per 100,000 people (5,166 total deaths)
> Population: 2,911,510

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

Source: SeanPavonePhoto / Getty Images

19. Florida
> Cumulative cases of COVID-19 as of July 9: 11,037 per 100,000 people (2,350,730 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of July 9: 179 per 100,000 people (38,097 total deaths)
> 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

18. Nevada
> Cumulative cases of COVID-19 as of July 9: 11,092 per 100,000 people (336,562 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of July 9: 188 per 100,000 people (5,705 total deaths)
> Population: 3,034,392

These are all the counties in Nevada 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 July 9: 11,148 per 100,000 people (195,552 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of July 9: 123 per 100,000 people (2,162 total deaths)
> 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

16. Indiana
> Cumulative cases of COVID-19 as of July 9: 11,298 per 100,000 people (756,070 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of July 9: 208 per 100,000 people (13,892 total deaths)
> 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

15. Alabama
> Cumulative cases of COVID-19 as of July 9: 11,323 per 100,000 people (553,476 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of July 9: 233 per 100,000 people (11,391 total deaths)
> Population: 4,887,871

These are all the counties in Alabama 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 July 9: 11,363 per 100,000 people (109,900 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of July 9: 175 per 100,000 people (1,695 total deaths)
> Population: 967,171

These are all the counties in Delaware 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 July 9: 11,503 per 100,000 people (1,024,748 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of July 9: 297 per 100,000 people (26,490 total deaths)
> 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

12. Nebraska
> Cumulative cases of COVID-19 as of July 9: 11,666 per 100,000 people (225,069 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of July 9: 117 per 100,000 people (2,262 total deaths)
> 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

11. Wisconsin
> Cumulative cases of COVID-19 as of July 9: 11,666 per 100,000 people (678,232 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of July 9: 140 per 100,000 people (8,154 total deaths)
> Population: 5,813,568

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

Source: DenisTangneyJr / Getty Images

10. Oklahoma
> Cumulative cases of COVID-19 as of July 9: 11,669 per 100,000 people (460,131 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of July 9: 188 per 100,000 people (7,407 total deaths)
> 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

9. Arkansas
> Cumulative cases of COVID-19 as of July 9: 11,716 per 100,000 people (353,095 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of July 9: 197 per 100,000 people (5,933 total deaths)
> 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

8. South Carolina
> Cumulative cases of COVID-19 as of July 9: 11,778 per 100,000 people (598,809 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of July 9: 194 per 100,000 people (9,857 total deaths)
> 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: pabradyphoto / Getty Images

7. Iowa
> Cumulative cases of COVID-19 as of July 9: 11,862 per 100,000 people (374,381 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of July 9: 195 per 100,000 people (6,149 total deaths)
> 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 July 9: 12,525 per 100,000 people (898,283 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of July 9: 251 per 100,000 people (18,004 total deaths)
> 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 July 9: 12,832 per 100,000 people (868,738 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of July 9: 186 per 100,000 people (12,583 total deaths)
> 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 July 9: 13,212 per 100,000 people (417,653 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of July 9: 76 per 100,000 people (2,387 total deaths)
> 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 July 9: 14,128 per 100,000 people (124,641 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of July 9: 231 per 100,000 people (2,039 total deaths)
> 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 July 9: 14,446 per 100,000 people (152,738 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of July 9: 258 per 100,000 people (2,730 total deaths)
> 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 July 9: 14,579 per 100,000 people (110,808 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of July 9: 201 per 100,000 people (1,530 total deaths)
> 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.