Special Report

States With the Most Cases of COVID-19

Samuel Stebbins

Published: August 17, 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 36,099,300 reported cases of COVID-19 nationwide — or 11,034 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 3,233 to as high as 14,853, 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 Northeast, while the states with the highest population-adjusted infection rates are most likely to be located in the South.

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 August 13, 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 August 13: 3,233 per 100,000 people (45,920 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of August 13: 38 per 100,000 people (542 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 August 13: 3,836 per 100,000 people (24,024 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of August 13: 41 per 100,000 people (255 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: SeanPavonePhoto / Getty Images

49. Maine
> Cumulative cases of COVID-19 as of August 13: 5,388 per 100,000 people (72,119 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of August 13: 67 per 100,000 people (903 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: 4nadia / Getty Images

48. Oregon
> Cumulative cases of COVID-19 as of August 13: 5,593 per 100,000 people (234,393 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of August 13: 70 per 100,000 people (2,920 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: aiisha5 / iStock

47. Washington
> Cumulative cases of COVID-19 as of August 13: 6,641 per 100,000 people (500,434 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of August 13: 82 per 100,000 people (6,204 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: DenisTangneyJr / Getty Images

46. New Hampshire
> Cumulative cases of COVID-19 as of August 13: 7,546 per 100,000 people (102,353 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of August 13: 103 per 100,000 people (1,393 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: Matt Anderson / iStock via Getty Images

45. Washington D.C.
> Cumulative cases of COVID-19 as of August 13: 7,575 per 100,000 people (51,853 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of August 13: 168 per 100,000 people (1,149 total deaths)
> 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 August 13: 7,896 per 100,000 people (477,117 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of August 13: 163 per 100,000 people (9,873 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 August 13: 8,401 per 100,000 people (715,556 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of August 13: 136 per 100,000 people (11,583 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 August 13: 9,481 per 100,000 people (171,202 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of August 13: 165 per 100,000 people (2,974 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 August 13: 9,697 per 100,000 people (1,241,843 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of August 13: 218 per 100,000 people (27,925 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

40. Ohio
> Cumulative cases of COVID-19 as of August 13: 9,832 per 100,000 people (1,149,318 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of August 13: 176 per 100,000 people (20,580 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

39. Connecticut
> Cumulative cases of COVID-19 as of August 13: 10,092 per 100,000 people (360,552 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of August 13: 232 per 100,000 people (8,297 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: pawel.gaul / Getty Images

38. Michigan
> Cumulative cases of COVID-19 as of August 13: 10,254 per 100,000 people (1,025,003 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of August 13: 213 per 100,000 people (21,252 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: volvob12b / Flickr

37. Alaska
> Cumulative cases of COVID-19 as of August 13: 10,259 per 100,000 people (75,654 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of August 13: 53 per 100,000 people (392 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: f11photo / Getty Images

36. Colorado
> Cumulative cases of COVID-19 as of August 13: 10,299 per 100,000 people (586,562 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of August 13: 123 per 100,000 people (7,013 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: ferrantraite / Getty Images

35. New Mexico
> Cumulative cases of COVID-19 as of August 13: 10,332 per 100,000 people (216,494 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of August 13: 212 per 100,000 people (4,437 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

34. California
> Cumulative cases of COVID-19 as of August 13: 10,460 per 100,000 people (4,137,738 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of August 13: 162 per 100,000 people (63,976 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: Sean Pavone / Getty Images

33. North Carolina
> Cumulative cases of COVID-19 as of August 13: 10,544 per 100,000 people (1,094,886 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of August 13: 133 per 100,000 people (13,790 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

32. Massachusetts
> Cumulative cases of COVID-19 as of August 13: 10,603 per 100,000 people (731,821 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of August 13: 263 per 100,000 people (18,121 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: Scruggelgreen / Getty Images

31. Minnesota
> Cumulative cases of COVID-19 as of August 13: 11,089 per 100,000 people (622,216 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of August 13: 139 per 100,000 people (7,808 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: FilippoBacci / Getty Images

30. New York
> Cumulative cases of COVID-19 as of August 13: 11,199 per 100,000 people (2,188,493 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of August 13: 275 per 100,000 people (53,671 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: peeterv / Getty Images

29. Montana
> Cumulative cases of COVID-19 as of August 13: 11,214 per 100,000 people (119,123 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of August 13: 162 per 100,000 people (1,726 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: Sean Pavone / Getty Images

28. Kentucky
> Cumulative cases of COVID-19 as of August 13: 11,316 per 100,000 people (505,632 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of August 13: 166 per 100,000 people (7,408 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

27. Texas
> Cumulative cases of COVID-19 as of August 13: 11,370 per 100,000 people (3,263,283 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of August 13: 183 per 100,000 people (52,667 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: Sean Pavone / Getty Images

26. Illinois
> Cumulative cases of COVID-19 as of August 13: 11,389 per 100,000 people (1,451,094 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of August 13: 204 per 100,000 people (26,048 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: iip-photo-archive / Flickr

25. Missouri
> Cumulative cases of COVID-19 as of August 13: 11,640 per 100,000 people (713,113 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of August 13: 163 per 100,000 people (10,002 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: Cliff / Wikimedia Commons

24. Wyoming
> Cumulative cases of COVID-19 as of August 13: 11,698 per 100,000 people (67,582 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of August 13: 137 per 100,000 people (793 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: mdgmorris / Getty Images

23. Delaware
> Cumulative cases of COVID-19 as of August 13: 11,710 per 100,000 people (113,251 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of August 13: 190 per 100,000 people (1,836 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: Sean Pavone / Getty Images

22. Georgia
> Cumulative cases of COVID-19 as of August 13: 11,772 per 100,000 people (1,238,383 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of August 13: 208 per 100,000 people (21,894 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: knowlesgallery / Getty Images

21. Idaho
> Cumulative cases of COVID-19 as of August 13: 11,773 per 100,000 people (206,523 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of August 13: 127 per 100,000 people (2,236 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

20. Indiana
> Cumulative cases of COVID-19 as of August 13: 11,819 per 100,000 people (790,926 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of August 13: 211 per 100,000 people (14,110 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: SeanPavonePhoto / Getty Images

19. New Jersey
> Cumulative cases of COVID-19 as of August 13: 11,825 per 100,000 people (1,053,398 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of August 13: 299 per 100,000 people (26,665 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: Sean Pavone / iStock via Getty Images

18. Kansas
> Cumulative cases of COVID-19 as of August 13: 11,847 per 100,000 people (344,937 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of August 13: 184 per 100,000 people (5,357 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: DenisTangneyJr / Getty Images

17. Nebraska
> Cumulative cases of COVID-19 as of August 13: 12,046 per 100,000 people (232,399 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of August 13: 118 per 100,000 people (2,285 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

16. Wisconsin
> Cumulative cases of COVID-19 as of August 13: 12,060 per 100,000 people (701,110 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of August 13: 143 per 100,000 people (8,314 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: f11photo / Getty Images

15. Nevada
> Cumulative cases of COVID-19 as of August 13: 12,148 per 100,000 people (368,625 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of August 13: 201 per 100,000 people (6,096 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: pabradyphoto / Getty Images

14. Iowa
> Cumulative cases of COVID-19 as of August 13: 12,270 per 100,000 people (387,273 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of August 13: 197 per 100,000 people (6,210 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: SeanPavonePhoto / Getty Images

13. Mississippi
> Cumulative cases of COVID-19 as of August 13: 12,594 per 100,000 people (376,124 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of August 13: 259 per 100,000 people (7,730 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 / Getty Images

12. South Carolina
> Cumulative cases of COVID-19 as of August 13: 12,756 per 100,000 people (648,508 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of August 13: 197 per 100,000 people (10,019 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: Kruck20 / Getty Images

11. Alabama
> Cumulative cases of COVID-19 as of August 13: 12,765 per 100,000 people (623,919 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of August 13: 240 per 100,000 people (11,724 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: DenisTangneyJr / Getty Images

10. Oklahoma
> Cumulative cases of COVID-19 as of August 13: 12,833 per 100,000 people (506,020 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of August 13: 194 per 100,000 people (7,631 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: f11photo / Getty Images

9. Louisiana
> Cumulative cases of COVID-19 as of August 13: 12,917 per 100,000 people (601,941 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of August 13: 245 per 100,000 people (11,408 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: SeanPavonePhoto / Getty Images

8. Florida
> Cumulative cases of COVID-19 as of August 13: 13,275 per 100,000 people (2,827,469 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of August 13: 190 per 100,000 people (40,528 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: Dreamframer / Getty Images

7. Arizona
> Cumulative cases of COVID-19 as of August 13: 13,286 per 100,000 people (952,797 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of August 13: 257 per 100,000 people (18,406 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

6. Arkansas
> Cumulative cases of COVID-19 as of August 13: 13,632 per 100,000 people (410,832 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of August 13: 211 per 100,000 people (6,366 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

5. Tennessee
> Cumulative cases of COVID-19 as of August 13: 13,753 per 100,000 people (931,107 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of August 13: 190 per 100,000 people (12,892 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 August 13: 13,990 per 100,000 people (442,245 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of August 13: 80 per 100,000 people (2,518 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 August 13: 14,333 per 100,000 people (126,454 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of August 13: 232 per 100,000 people (2,051 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 August 13: 14,832 per 100,000 people (156,824 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of August 13: 260 per 100,000 people (2,744 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 August 13: 14,853 per 100,000 people (112,894 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of August 13: 203 per 100,000 people (1,545 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.