Special Report

States With the Most Cases of COVID-19

Samuel Stebbins

Published: November 14, 2021 4:45 am

Despite the ongoing vaccination effort, new daily cases of COVID-19 are beginning to rise once again in parts 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 46,328,900 reported cases of COVID-19 nationwide — or 14,161 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 5,799 to as high as 20,101, depending on the state.

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 Nov. 10, 2021.

Source: maximkabb / iStock

51. Hawaii
> Cumulative cases of COVID-19 as of Nov. 10: 5,799 per 100,000 people (82,379 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of Nov. 10: 67 per 100,000 people (952 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 Nov. 10: 6,321 per 100,000 people (39,587 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of Nov. 10: 59 per 100,000 people (370 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 Nov. 10: 8,122 per 100,000 people (108,710 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of Nov. 10: 91 per 100,000 people (1,215 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 Nov. 10: 8,931 per 100,000 people (374,253 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of Nov. 10: 110 per 100,000 people (4,620 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: Davel5957 / Getty Images

47. Maryland
> Cumulative cases of COVID-19 as of Nov. 10: 9,385 per 100,000 people (567,085 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of Nov. 10: 182 per 100,000 people (10,999 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: Matt Anderson / iStock via Getty Images

46. Washington D.C.
> Cumulative cases of COVID-19 as of Nov. 10: 9,503 per 100,000 people (65,050 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of Nov. 10: 174 per 100,000 people (1,193 total deaths)
> Population: 702,455

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

Source: aiisha5 / iStock

45. Washington
> Cumulative cases of COVID-19 as of Nov. 10: 9,859 per 100,000 people (742,919 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of Nov. 10: 117 per 100,000 people (8,827 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

44. New Hampshire
> Cumulative cases of COVID-19 as of Nov. 10: 10,418 per 100,000 people (141,317 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of Nov. 10: 118 per 100,000 people (1,599 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: SeanPavonePhoto / Getty Images

43. Virginia
> Cumulative cases of COVID-19 as of Nov. 10: 11,017 per 100,000 people (938,376 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of Nov. 10: 167 per 100,000 people (14,225 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: SeanPavonePhoto / Getty Images

42. Connecticut
> Cumulative cases of COVID-19 as of Nov. 10: 11,362 per 100,000 people (405,910 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of Nov. 10: 246 per 100,000 people (8,790 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: SeanPavonePhoto / Getty Images

41. Pennsylvania
> Cumulative cases of COVID-19 as of Nov. 10: 12,470 per 100,000 people (1,597,065 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of Nov. 10: 249 per 100,000 people (31,915 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: choness / Getty Images

40. California
> Cumulative cases of COVID-19 as of Nov. 10: 12,529 per 100,000 people (4,956,081 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of Nov. 10: 182 per 100,000 people (71,979 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. Massachusetts
> Cumulative cases of COVID-19 as of Nov. 10: 12,544 per 100,000 people (865,806 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of Nov. 10: 277 per 100,000 people (19,093 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: pawel.gaul / Getty Images

38. Michigan
> Cumulative cases of COVID-19 as of Nov. 10: 13,203 per 100,000 people (1,319,724 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of Nov. 10: 240 per 100,000 people (24,027 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: FilippoBacci / Getty Images

37. New York
> Cumulative cases of COVID-19 as of Nov. 10: 13,277 per 100,000 people (2,594,542 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of Nov. 10: 288 per 100,000 people (56,280 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

36. Ohio
> Cumulative cases of COVID-19 as of Nov. 10: 13,476 per 100,000 people (1,575,319 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of Nov. 10: 214 per 100,000 people (25,067 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: f11photo / Getty Images

35. Colorado
> Cumulative cases of COVID-19 as of Nov. 10: 13,496 per 100,000 people (768,646 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of Nov. 10: 149 per 100,000 people (8,499 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: Sean Pavone / Getty Images

34. Illinois
> Cumulative cases of COVID-19 as of Nov. 10: 13,502 per 100,000 people (1,720,345 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of Nov. 10: 227 per 100,000 people (28,877 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: SeanPavonePhoto / Getty Images

33. New Jersey
> Cumulative cases of COVID-19 as of Nov. 10: 13,564 per 100,000 people (1,208,321 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of Nov. 10: 315 per 100,000 people (28,092 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: ferrantraite / Getty Images

32. New Mexico
> Cumulative cases of COVID-19 as of Nov. 10: 13,653 per 100,000 people (286,086 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of Nov. 10: 245 per 100,000 people (5,124 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: iip-photo-archive / Flickr

31. Missouri
> Cumulative cases of COVID-19 as of Nov. 10: 14,109 per 100,000 people (864,357 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of Nov. 10: 201 per 100,000 people (12,325 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: Sean Pavone / Getty Images

30. North Carolina
> Cumulative cases of COVID-19 as of Nov. 10: 14,391 per 100,000 people (1,494,278 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of Nov. 10: 176 per 100,000 people (18,317 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: Scruggelgreen / Getty Images

29. Minnesota
> Cumulative cases of COVID-19 as of Nov. 10: 14,600 per 100,000 people (819,239 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of Nov. 10: 160 per 100,000 people (8,986 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: RoschetzkyIstockPhoto / Getty Images

28. Texas
> Cumulative cases of COVID-19 as of Nov. 10: 14,793 per 100,000 people (4,245,949 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of Nov. 10: 247 per 100,000 people (70,766 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: f11photo / Getty Images

27. Nevada
> Cumulative cases of COVID-19 as of Nov. 10: 15,062 per 100,000 people (457,039 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of Nov. 10: 256 per 100,000 people (7,759 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: mdgmorris / Getty Images

26. Delaware
> Cumulative cases of COVID-19 as of Nov. 10: 15,110 per 100,000 people (146,139 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of Nov. 10: 219 per 100,000 people (2,119 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: DenisTangneyJr / Getty Images

25. Nebraska
> Cumulative cases of COVID-19 as of Nov. 10: 15,137 per 100,000 people (292,032 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of Nov. 10: 158 per 100,000 people (3,040 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 / iStock via Getty Images

24. Kansas
> Cumulative cases of COVID-19 as of Nov. 10: 15,169 per 100,000 people (441,642 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of Nov. 10: 224 per 100,000 people (6,534 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: Sean Pavone / Getty Images

23. West Virginia
> Cumulative cases of COVID-19 as of Nov. 10: 15,427 per 100,000 people (278,578 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of Nov. 10: 252 per 100,000 people (4,548 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: Davel5957 / Getty Images

22. Indiana
> Cumulative cases of COVID-19 as of Nov. 10: 15,469 per 100,000 people (1,035,141 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of Nov. 10: 253 per 100,000 people (16,916 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: Sean Pavone / Getty Images

21. Wisconsin
> Cumulative cases of COVID-19 as of Nov. 10: 15,571 per 100,000 people (905,245 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of Nov. 10: 165 per 100,000 people (9,576 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: Sean Pavone / Getty Images

20. Georgia
> Cumulative cases of COVID-19 as of Nov. 10: 15,600 per 100,000 people (1,641,036 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of Nov. 10: 280 per 100,000 people (29,483 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: pabradyphoto / Getty Images

19. Iowa
> Cumulative cases of COVID-19 as of Nov. 10: 15,768 per 100,000 people (497,648 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of Nov. 10: 224 per 100,000 people (7,069 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: f11photo / Getty Images

18. Louisiana
> Cumulative cases of COVID-19 as of Nov. 10: 16,366 per 100,000 people (762,659 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of Nov. 10: 314 per 100,000 people (14,622 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: DenisTangneyJr / Getty Images

17. Oklahoma
> Cumulative cases of COVID-19 as of Nov. 10: 16,492 per 100,000 people (650,273 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of Nov. 10: 279 per 100,000 people (11,013 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: Dreamframer / Getty Images

16. Arizona
> Cumulative cases of COVID-19 as of Nov. 10: 16,626 per 100,000 people (1,192,365 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of Nov. 10: 299 per 100,000 people (21,409 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

15. Kentucky
> Cumulative cases of COVID-19 as of Nov. 10: 16,859 per 100,000 people (753,338 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of Nov. 10: 224 per 100,000 people (10,019 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: knowlesgallery / Getty Images

14. Idaho
> Cumulative cases of COVID-19 as of Nov. 10: 16,939 per 100,000 people (297,142 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of Nov. 10: 210 per 100,000 people (3,678 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: SeanPavonePhoto / Getty Images

13. Mississippi
> Cumulative cases of COVID-19 as of Nov. 10: 16,980 per 100,000 people (507,116 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of Nov. 10: 340 per 100,000 people (10,153 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: peeterv / Getty Images

12. Montana
> Cumulative cases of COVID-19 as of Nov. 10: 17,071 per 100,000 people (181,350 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of Nov. 10: 228 per 100,000 people (2,423 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: Kruck20 / Getty Images

11. Alabama
> Cumulative cases of COVID-19 as of Nov. 10: 17,129 per 100,000 people (837,252 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of Nov. 10: 325 per 100,000 people (15,882 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

10. Arkansas
> Cumulative cases of COVID-19 as of Nov. 10: 17,134 per 100,000 people (516,386 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of Nov. 10: 282 per 100,000 people (8,508 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: SeanPavonePhoto / Getty Images

9. Florida
> Cumulative cases of COVID-19 as of Nov. 10: 17,198 per 100,000 people (3,662,957 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of Nov. 10: 284 per 100,000 people (60,418 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

8. Rhode Island
> Cumulative cases of COVID-19 as of Nov. 10: 17,198 per 100,000 people (181,835 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of Nov. 10: 273 per 100,000 people (2,882 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: Sean Pavone / Getty Images

7. South Carolina
> Cumulative cases of COVID-19 as of Nov. 10: 17,751 per 100,000 people (902,493 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of Nov. 10: 273 per 100,000 people (13,862 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: EunikaSopotnicka / Getty Images

6. South Dakota
> Cumulative cases of COVID-19 as of Nov. 10: 17,841 per 100,000 people (157,396 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of Nov. 10: 257 per 100,000 people (2,267 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: Bill_Dally / iStock

5. Utah
> Cumulative cases of COVID-19 as of Nov. 10: 17,860 per 100,000 people (564,576 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of Nov. 10: 104 per 100,000 people (3,300 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: Cliff / Wikimedia Commons

4. Wyoming
> Cumulative cases of COVID-19 as of Nov. 10: 18,346 per 100,000 people (105,990 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of Nov. 10: 215 per 100,000 people (1,243 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: volvob12b / Flickr

3. Alaska
> Cumulative cases of COVID-19 as of Nov. 10: 18,735 per 100,000 people (138,161 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of Nov. 10: 104 per 100,000 people (764 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

2. Tennessee
> Cumulative cases of COVID-19 as of Nov. 10: 19,040 per 100,000 people (1,289,008 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of Nov. 10: 245 per 100,000 people (16,556 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: csfotoimages / Getty Images

1. North Dakota
> Cumulative cases of COVID-19 as of Nov. 10: 20,101 per 100,000 people (152,782 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of Nov. 10: 236 per 100,000 people (1,796 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.