Special Report

States With the Most Cases of COVID-19

Samuel Stebbins

Published: July 27, 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 34,092,700 reported cases of COVID-19 nationwide — or 10,421 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 2,680 to as high as 14,620, 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 23, 2021. It is important to note that average new daily cases may include older diagnoses that were previously uncounted.

Source: maximkabb / iStock

51. Hawaii
> Cumulative cases of COVID-19 as of July 23: 2,680 per 100,000 people (38,066 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of July 23: 37 per 100,000 people (521 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 23: 3,681 per 100,000 people (23,052 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of July 23: 40 per 100,000 people (251 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 23: 5,100 per 100,000 people (213,730 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of July 23: 68 per 100,000 people (2,833 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 23: 5,214 per 100,000 people (69,780 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of July 23: 67 per 100,000 people (891 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 23: 6,151 per 100,000 people (463,537 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of July 23: 80 per 100,000 people (6,063 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 23: 7,284 per 100,000 people (49,858 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of July 23: 167 per 100,000 people (1,146 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 23: 7,377 per 100,000 people (100,072 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of July 23: 102 per 100,000 people (1,384 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 23: 7,696 per 100,000 people (465,038 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of July 23: 162 per 100,000 people (9,798 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 23: 8,072 per 100,000 people (687,550 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of July 23: 135 per 100,000 people (11,493 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 23: 9,159 per 100,000 people (165,398 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of July 23: 162 per 100,000 people (2,920 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: SeanPavonePhoto / Getty Images

41. Pennsylvania
> Cumulative cases of COVID-19 as of July 23: 9,509 per 100,000 people (1,217,857 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of July 23: 217 per 100,000 people (27,813 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: volvob12b / Flickr

40. Alaska
> Cumulative cases of COVID-19 as of July 23: 9,537 per 100,000 people (70,328 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of July 23: 51 per 100,000 people (375 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: Sean Pavone / Getty Images

39. Ohio
> Cumulative cases of COVID-19 as of July 23: 9,575 per 100,000 people (1,119,298 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of July 23: 175 per 100,000 people (20,449 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: SeanPavonePhoto / Getty Images

38. Connecticut
> Cumulative cases of COVID-19 as of July 23: 9,839 per 100,000 people (351,530 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of July 23: 232 per 100,000 people (8,282 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: Sean Pavone / Getty Images

37. North Carolina
> Cumulative cases of COVID-19 as of July 23: 9,901 per 100,000 people (1,028,131 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of July 23: 130 per 100,000 people (13,550 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: ferrantraite / Getty Images

36. New Mexico
> Cumulative cases of COVID-19 as of July 23: 9,925 per 100,000 people (207,972 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of July 23: 210 per 100,000 people (4,392 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: choness / Getty Images

35. California
> Cumulative cases of COVID-19 as of July 23: 9,931 per 100,000 people (3,928,255 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of July 23: 161 per 100,000 people (63,664 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: f11photo / Getty Images

34. Colorado
> Cumulative cases of COVID-19 as of July 23: 9,970 per 100,000 people (567,838 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of July 23: 121 per 100,000 people (6,895 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 23: 10,055 per 100,000 people (1,005,084 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of July 23: 211 per 100,000 people (21,128 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: SeanPavonePhoto / Getty Images

32. Massachusetts
> Cumulative cases of COVID-19 as of July 23: 10,345 per 100,000 people (714,014 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of July 23: 261 per 100,000 people (18,035 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: Sean Pavone / Getty Images

31. Kentucky
> Cumulative cases of COVID-19 as of July 23: 10,577 per 100,000 people (472,605 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of July 23: 164 per 100,000 people (7,306 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

30. Texas
> Cumulative cases of COVID-19 as of July 23: 10,592 per 100,000 people (3,039,980 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of July 23: 180 per 100,000 people (51,709 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: iip-photo-archive / Flickr

29. Missouri
> Cumulative cases of COVID-19 as of July 23: 10,703 per 100,000 people (655,736 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of July 23: 156 per 100,000 people (9,534 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: peeterv / Getty Images

28. Montana
> Cumulative cases of COVID-19 as of July 23: 10,826 per 100,000 people (115,002 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of July 23: 159 per 100,000 people (1,694 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

27. Minnesota
> Cumulative cases of COVID-19 as of July 23: 10,848 per 100,000 people (608,678 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of July 23: 138 per 100,000 people (7,737 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: f11photo / Getty Images

26. Louisiana
> Cumulative cases of COVID-19 as of July 23: 10,877 per 100,000 people (506,882 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of July 23: 233 per 100,000 people (10,874 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: FilippoBacci / Getty Images

25. New York
> Cumulative cases of COVID-19 as of July 23: 10,895 per 100,000 people (2,129,084 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of July 23: 274 per 100,000 people (53,463 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: Sean Pavone / Getty Images

24. Georgia
> Cumulative cases of COVID-19 as of July 23: 10,961 per 100,000 people (1,153,064 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of July 23: 205 per 100,000 people (21,593 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: Sean Pavone / Getty Images

23. Illinois
> Cumulative cases of COVID-19 as of July 23: 11,023 per 100,000 people (1,404,466 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of July 23: 203 per 100,000 people (25,854 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: Cliff / Wikimedia Commons

22. Wyoming
> Cumulative cases of COVID-19 as of July 23: 11,076 per 100,000 people (63,988 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of July 23: 133 per 100,000 people (766 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: SeanPavonePhoto / Getty Images

21. Mississippi
> Cumulative cases of COVID-19 as of July 23: 11,112 per 100,000 people (331,863 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of July 23: 251 per 100,000 people (7,494 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: Sean Pavone / iStock via Getty Images

20. Kansas
> Cumulative cases of COVID-19 as of July 23: 11,188 per 100,000 people (325,728 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of July 23: 179 per 100,000 people (5,218 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: knowlesgallery / Getty Images

19. Idaho
> Cumulative cases of COVID-19 as of July 23: 11,275 per 100,000 people (197,781 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of July 23: 124 per 100,000 people (2,179 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

18. Indiana
> Cumulative cases of COVID-19 as of July 23: 11,399 per 100,000 people (762,837 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of July 23: 209 per 100,000 people (13,964 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: mdgmorris / Getty Images

17. Delaware
> Cumulative cases of COVID-19 as of July 23: 11,425 per 100,000 people (110,502 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of July 23: 175 per 100,000 people (1,697 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: f11photo / Getty Images

16. Nevada
> Cumulative cases of COVID-19 as of July 23: 11,439 per 100,000 people (347,098 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of July 23: 191 per 100,000 people (5,789 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: SeanPavonePhoto / Getty Images

15. Florida
> Cumulative cases of COVID-19 as of July 23: 11,514 per 100,000 people (2,452,461 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of July 23: 181 per 100,000 people (38,566 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: SeanPavonePhoto / Getty Images

14. New Jersey
> Cumulative cases of COVID-19 as of July 23: 11,569 per 100,000 people (1,030,600 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of July 23: 298 per 100,000 people (26,562 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: Kruck20 / Getty Images

13. Alabama
> Cumulative cases of COVID-19 as of July 23: 11,570 per 100,000 people (565,507 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of July 23: 235 per 100,000 people (11,466 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: Sean Pavone / Getty Images

12. Wisconsin
> Cumulative cases of COVID-19 as of July 23: 11,717 per 100,000 people (681,168 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of July 23: 142 per 100,000 people (8,229 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

11. Nebraska
> Cumulative cases of COVID-19 as of July 23: 11,746 per 100,000 people (226,606 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of July 23: 118 per 100,000 people (2,284 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

10. South Carolina
> Cumulative cases of COVID-19 as of July 23: 11,905 per 100,000 people (605,240 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of July 23: 195 per 100,000 people (9,908 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: DenisTangneyJr / Getty Images

9. Oklahoma
> Cumulative cases of COVID-19 as of July 23: 11,919 per 100,000 people (469,982 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of July 23: 189 per 100,000 people (7,462 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: pabradyphoto / Getty Images

8. Iowa
> Cumulative cases of COVID-19 as of July 23: 11,936 per 100,000 people (376,726 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of July 23: 195 per 100,000 people (6,170 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: Sean Pavone / Getty Images

7. Arkansas
> Cumulative cases of COVID-19 as of July 23: 12,226 per 100,000 people (368,466 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of July 23: 200 per 100,000 people (6,020 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: Dreamframer / Getty Images

6. Arizona
> Cumulative cases of COVID-19 as of July 23: 12,709 per 100,000 people (911,479 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of July 23: 253 per 100,000 people (18,127 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 23: 12,967 per 100,000 people (877,850 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of July 23: 187 per 100,000 people (12,651 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 23: 13,464 per 100,000 people (425,603 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of July 23: 77 per 100,000 people (2,424 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 23: 14,163 per 100,000 people (124,948 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of July 23: 231 per 100,000 people (2,041 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 23: 14,496 per 100,000 people (153,269 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of July 23: 259 per 100,000 people (2,738 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 23: 14,620 per 100,000 people (111,127 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of July 23: 202 per 100,000 people (1,538 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.