More than two years in, the COVID-19 pandemic has claimed the lives of over 960,000 people in the United States. Despite early indications that the omicron variant would be less severe, deaths have continued to rise in the United States.
Since the emergence of the omicron variant, the death toll in the United States has risen significantly, though the pace has abated somewhat. In the past 14 days alone, about 18,000 COVID-19 deaths were reported across the 50 states. But as the numbers of new cases have been declining nationwide, so should the numbers of new deaths. (Find out also how COVID fatality rates compare with other deadly diseases.)
To find the deadliest state for COVID-19, 24/7 Wall St. ranked states by the average daily deaths over the most recent seven days per 100,000 people, using data from federal, state, and local sources as of March 14.
Currently, South Carolina ranks as the deadliest state for the virus, with an average daily deaths of 53 over the past seven days, or 1 deaths per 100,000 people. Deaths have also been increasing in the state, and the average of new daily deaths is nearly 57% higher than it was 14 days ago.
This compares to Colorado, which reported an average of 4.4 daily deaths over the past seven days, or 0.08 per 100,000 people. Average daily deaths in the state declined by nearly 66% compared to 14 days ago.
Other states with relatively high COVID-19 deaths rates over the past week include Alabama, West Virginia, Kentucky, and Oklahoma, though unlike Maine, average new deaths in West Virginia and Alabama have decreased. Encouragingly, the average number of daily deaths has fallen in 43 states. (These are states where the most people are vaccinated.)
Click here to see this is the deadliest state for COVID-19
Source: Michael Ciaglo / Getty Images News via Getty Images
50. Colorado
> Avg. daily deaths per 100,000 (past 7 days): 0.08
> Avg. daily deaths (past 7 days): 4.43 (12th lowest)
> 14-day change in avg new deaths: -65.93% (9th highest decrease)
> Total COVID-19 deaths: 11,840 (23rd lowest)
> Total COVID-19 deaths per 100,000: 208 (9th lowest)
[in-text-ad]
49. Rhode Island
> Avg. daily deaths per 100,000 (past 7 days): 0.08
> Avg. daily deaths (past 7 days): 0.86 (2nd lowest)
> 14-day change in avg new deaths: -50.00% (20th highest decrease)
> Total COVID-19 deaths: 3,421 (11th lowest)
> Total COVID-19 deaths per 100,000: 324 (20th highest)
Source: vermontalm / iStock via Getty Images
48. Vermont
> Avg. daily deaths per 100,000 (past 7 days): 0.09
> Avg. daily deaths (past 7 days): 0.57 (the lowest)
> 14-day change in avg new deaths: -77.78% (3rd highest decrease)
> Total COVID-19 deaths: 578 (the lowest)
> Total COVID-19 deaths per 100,000: 92 (the lowest)
Source: Rey Del Rio / Getty Images Sport via Getty Images
47. Nebraska
> Avg. daily deaths per 100,000 (past 7 days): 0.10
> Avg. daily deaths (past 7 days): 1.86 (6th lowest)
> 14-day change in avg new deaths: -84.71% (the highest decrease)
> Total COVID-19 deaths: 4,026 (12th lowest)
> Total COVID-19 deaths per 100,000: 209 (10th lowest)
[in-text-ad-2]
Source: bodnarchuk / iStock via Getty Images
46. New York
> Avg. daily deaths per 100,000 (past 7 days): 0.10
> Avg. daily deaths (past 7 days): 19.00 (25th highest)
> 14-day change in avg new deaths: -70.58% (7th highest decrease)
> Total COVID-19 deaths: 67,017 (4th highest)
> Total COVID-19 deaths per 100,000: 343 (13th highest)
Source: YangYin / iStock via Getty Images
45. Hawaii
> Avg. daily deaths per 100,000 (past 7 days): 0.10
> Avg. daily deaths (past 7 days): 1.43 (5th lowest)
> 14-day change in avg new deaths: -73.68% (5th highest decrease)
> Total COVID-19 deaths: 1,342 (3rd lowest)
> Total COVID-19 deaths per 100,000: 94 (2nd lowest)
[in-text-ad]
44. New Jersey
> Avg. daily deaths per 100,000 (past 7 days): 0.14
> Avg. daily deaths (past 7 days): 12.14 (19th lowest)
> 14-day change in avg new deaths: -69.86% (8th highest decrease)
> Total COVID-19 deaths: 33,067 (10th highest)
> Total COVID-19 deaths per 100,000: 371 (4th highest)
24/7 Wall St.
Source: Brian Davidson / Getty Images Sport via Getty Images
43. Kansas
> Avg. daily deaths per 100,000 (past 7 days): 0.14
> Avg. daily deaths (past 7 days): 4.00 (11th lowest)
> 14-day change in avg new deaths: -30.00% (9th lowest decrease)
> Total COVID-19 deaths: 8,003 (18th lowest)
> Total COVID-19 deaths per 100,000: 275 (18th lowest)
Source: Chip Somodevilla / Getty Images News via Getty Images
42. Maryland
> Avg. daily deaths per 100,000 (past 7 days): 0.16
> Avg. daily deaths (past 7 days): 9.43 (16th lowest)
> 14-day change in avg new deaths: -40.00% (13th lowest decrease)
> Total COVID-19 deaths: 14,237 (22nd highest)
> Total COVID-19 deaths per 100,000: 236 (16th lowest)
[in-text-ad-2]
41. New Hampshire
> Avg. daily deaths per 100,000 (past 7 days): 0.17
> Avg. daily deaths (past 7 days): 2.29 (7th lowest)
> 14-day change in avg new deaths: -63.64% (11th highest decrease)
> Total COVID-19 deaths: 2,414 (7th lowest)
> Total COVID-19 deaths per 100,000: 178 (8th lowest)
Source: John Pennell / iStock via Getty Images
40. Alaska
> Avg. daily deaths per 100,000 (past 7 days): 0.19
> Avg. daily deaths (past 7 days): 1.43 (5th lowest)
> 14-day change in avg new deaths: -54.55% (18th highest decrease)
> Total COVID-19 deaths: 1,168 (2nd lowest)
> Total COVID-19 deaths per 100,000: 158 (4th lowest)
[in-text-ad]
Source: Al Knauber / iStock Editorial via Getty Images
39. Wyoming
> Avg. daily deaths per 100,000 (past 7 days): 0.20
> Avg. daily deaths (past 7 days): 1.14 (3rd lowest)
> 14-day change in avg new deaths: -72.41% (6th highest decrease)
> Total COVID-19 deaths: 1,749 (4th lowest)
> Total COVID-19 deaths per 100,000: 303 (25th lowest)
24/7 Wall St.
38. North Carolina
> Avg. daily deaths per 100,000 (past 7 days): 0.23
> Avg. daily deaths (past 7 days): 23.86 (22nd highest)
> 14-day change in avg new deaths: -65.28% (10th highest decrease)
> Total COVID-19 deaths: 22,892 (15th highest)
> Total COVID-19 deaths per 100,000: 220 (12th lowest)
37. Minnesota
> Avg. daily deaths per 100,000 (past 7 days): 0.24
> Avg. daily deaths (past 7 days): 13.29 (21st lowest)
> 14-day change in avg new deaths: -49.18% (22nd lowest decrease)
> Total COVID-19 deaths: 12,455 (25th highest)
> Total COVID-19 deaths per 100,000: 222 (13th lowest)
[in-text-ad-2]
Source: Al Knauber / iStock Editorial via Getty Images
36. Montana
> Avg. daily deaths per 100,000 (past 7 days): 0.24
> Avg. daily deaths (past 7 days): 2.57 (9th lowest)
> 14-day change in avg new deaths: -74.65% (4th highest decrease)
> Total COVID-19 deaths: 3,221 (10th lowest)
> Total COVID-19 deaths per 100,000: 303 (25th highest)
Source: Jorge Villalba / E+ via Getty Images
35. Illinois
> Avg. daily deaths per 100,000 (past 7 days): 0.24
> Avg. daily deaths (past 7 days): 31.00 (15th highest)
> 14-day change in avg new deaths: -56.51% (15th highest decrease)
> Total COVID-19 deaths: 37,271 (6th highest)
> Total COVID-19 deaths per 100,000: 293 (21st lowest)
[in-text-ad]
Source: Alex Potemkin / E+ via Getty Images
34. Pennsylvania
> Avg. daily deaths per 100,000 (past 7 days): 0.31
> Avg. daily deaths (past 7 days): 40.14 (11th highest)
> 14-day change in avg new deaths: -40.09% (14th lowest decrease)
> Total COVID-19 deaths: 43,767 (5th highest)
> Total COVID-19 deaths per 100,000: 342 (15th highest)
24/7 Wall St.
33. North Dakota
> Avg. daily deaths per 100,000 (past 7 days): 0.34
> Avg. daily deaths (past 7 days): 2.57 (9th lowest)
> 14-day change in avg new deaths: 28.57% (3rd highest increase)
> Total COVID-19 deaths: 2,223 (6th lowest)
> Total COVID-19 deaths per 100,000: 292 (20th lowest)
Source: Elan Irving / iStock via Getty Images
32. Washington
> Avg. daily deaths per 100,000 (past 7 days): 0.34
> Avg. daily deaths (past 7 days): 25.57 (18th highest)
> 14-day change in avg new deaths: -56.97% (13th highest decrease)
> Total COVID-19 deaths: 12,133 (24th lowest)
> Total COVID-19 deaths per 100,000: 161 (6th lowest)
[in-text-ad-2]
Source: PeskyMonkey / iStock via Getty Images
31. Idaho
> Avg. daily deaths per 100,000 (past 7 days): 0.34
> Avg. daily deaths (past 7 days): 6.00 (15th lowest)
> 14-day change in avg new deaths: -52.27% (19th highest decrease)
> Total COVID-19 deaths: 4,814 (14th lowest)
> Total COVID-19 deaths per 100,000: 274 (17th lowest)
Source: RichVintage / E+ via Getty Images
30. Utah
> Avg. daily deaths per 100,000 (past 7 days): 0.34
> Avg. daily deaths (past 7 days): 10.86 (17th lowest)
> 14-day change in avg new deaths: 24.59% (4th highest increase)
> Total COVID-19 deaths: 4,518 (13th lowest)
> Total COVID-19 deaths per 100,000: 143 (3rd lowest)
[in-text-ad]
Source: wanderluster / E+ via Getty Images
29. Indiana
> Avg. daily deaths per 100,000 (past 7 days): 0.35
> Avg. daily deaths (past 7 days): 23.29 (23rd highest)
> 14-day change in avg new deaths: -54.60% (17th highest decrease)
> Total COVID-19 deaths: 23,126 (14th highest)
> Total COVID-19 deaths per 100,000: 346 (10th highest)
Source: Ryan David Brown / Getty Images News via Getty Images
28. Maine
> Avg. daily deaths per 100,000 (past 7 days): 0.35
> Avg. daily deaths (past 7 days): 4.71 (13th lowest)
> 14-day change in avg new deaths: -79.25% (2nd highest decrease)
> Total COVID-19 deaths: 2,142 (5th lowest)
> Total COVID-19 deaths per 100,000: 160 (5th lowest)
Source: Alexander Farnsworth / iStock via Getty Images
27. Massachusetts
> Avg. daily deaths per 100,000 (past 7 days): 0.37
> Avg. daily deaths (past 7 days): 25.57 (18th highest)
> 14-day change in avg new deaths: -44.06% (18th lowest decrease)
> Total COVID-19 deaths: 23,732 (13th highest)
> Total COVID-19 deaths per 100,000: 344 (11th highest)
[in-text-ad-2]
Source: Justin Sullivan / Getty Images News via Getty Images
26. California
> Avg. daily deaths per 100,000 (past 7 days): 0.38
> Avg. daily deaths (past 7 days): 151.14 (2nd highest)
> 14-day change in avg new deaths: -24.54% (7th lowest decrease)
> Total COVID-19 deaths: 86,185 (the highest)
> Total COVID-19 deaths per 100,000: 218 (11th lowest)
Source: jbsapublicaffairs / Flickr
25. Texas
> Avg. daily deaths per 100,000 (past 7 days): 0.39
> Avg. daily deaths (past 7 days): 111.86 (3rd highest)
> 14-day change in avg new deaths: -49.94% (21st highest decrease)
> Total COVID-19 deaths: 84,780 (2nd highest)
> Total COVID-19 deaths per 100,000: 295 (23rd lowest)
[in-text-ad]
Source: JasonOndreicka / iStock via Getty Images
24. Connecticut
> Avg. daily deaths per 100,000 (past 7 days): 0.40
> Avg. daily deaths (past 7 days): 14.43 (22nd lowest)
> 14-day change in avg new deaths: -19.20% (6th lowest decrease)
> Total COVID-19 deaths: 10,615 (21st lowest)
> Total COVID-19 deaths per 100,000: 297 (24th lowest)
Source: Nicholas Nace / iStock Editorial via Getty Images
23. Tennessee
> Avg. daily deaths per 100,000 (past 7 days): 0.41
> Avg. daily deaths (past 7 days): 27.43 (17th highest)
> 14-day change in avg new deaths: -62.06% (12th highest decrease)
> Total COVID-19 deaths: 24,853 (12th highest)
> Total COVID-19 deaths per 100,000: 367 (5th highest)
Source: mrolands / iStock Editorial via Getty Images
22. Iowa
> Avg. daily deaths per 100,000 (past 7 days): 0.41
> Avg. daily deaths (past 7 days): 13.00 (20th lowest)
> 14-day change in avg new deaths: -33.58% (10th lowest decrease)
> Total COVID-19 deaths: 9,262 (19th lowest)
> Total COVID-19 deaths per 100,000: 293 (22nd lowest)
[in-text-ad-2]
Source: BrianPIrwin / iStock Editorial via Getty Images
21. Virginia
> Avg. daily deaths per 100,000 (past 7 days): 0.43
> Avg. daily deaths (past 7 days): 36.57 (13th highest)
> 14-day change in avg new deaths: -56.68% (14th highest decrease)
> Total COVID-19 deaths: 19,212 (17th highest)
> Total COVID-19 deaths per 100,000: 226 (14th lowest)
Source: Michael Ciaglo / Getty Images
20. South Dakota
> Avg. daily deaths per 100,000 (past 7 days): 0.45
> Avg. daily deaths (past 7 days): 4.00 (11th lowest)
> 14-day change in avg new deaths: -6.67% (the lowest decrease)
> Total COVID-19 deaths: 2,848 (9th lowest)
> Total COVID-19 deaths per 100,000: 323 (21st highest)
[in-text-ad]
Source: Sean Gardner / Getty Images News via Getty Images
19. Louisiana
> Avg. daily deaths per 100,000 (past 7 days): 0.46
> Avg. daily deaths (past 7 days): 21.57 (24th highest)
> 14-day change in avg new deaths: -45.68% (20th lowest decrease)
> Total COVID-19 deaths: 16,862 (20th highest)
> Total COVID-19 deaths per 100,000: 362 (7th highest)
Source: Wendy Van / iStock Editorial via Getty Images
18. Ohio
> Avg. daily deaths per 100,000 (past 7 days): 0.48
> Avg. daily deaths (past 7 days): 55.71 (5th highest)
> 14-day change in avg new deaths: -56.42% (16th highest decrease)
> Total COVID-19 deaths: 37,212 (7th highest)
> Total COVID-19 deaths per 100,000: 318 (23rd highest)
Source: Michael Anthony / iStock via Getty Images
17. Michigan
> Avg. daily deaths per 100,000 (past 7 days): 0.51
> Avg. daily deaths (past 7 days): 51.00 (8th highest)
> 14-day change in avg new deaths: -37.26% (12th lowest decrease)
> Total COVID-19 deaths: 35,162 (9th highest)
> Total COVID-19 deaths per 100,000: 352 (9th highest)
[in-text-ad-2]
Source: JamesBrey / iStock via Getty Images
16. Wisconsin
> Avg. daily deaths per 100,000 (past 7 days): 0.52
> Avg. daily deaths (past 7 days): 30.29 (16th highest)
> 14-day change in avg new deaths: -8.62% (3rd lowest decrease)
> Total COVID-19 deaths: 13,662 (23rd highest)
> Total COVID-19 deaths per 100,000: 235 (15th lowest)
Source: bennymarty / iStock via Getty Images
15. Nevada
> Avg. daily deaths per 100,000 (past 7 days): 0.57
> Avg. daily deaths (past 7 days): 17.29 (24th lowest)
> 14-day change in avg new deaths: -27.54% (8th lowest decrease)
> Total COVID-19 deaths: 9,895 (20th lowest)
> Total COVID-19 deaths per 100,000: 326 (19th highest)
[in-text-ad]
Source: graphiknation / E+ via Getty Images
14. Georgia
> Avg. daily deaths per 100,000 (past 7 days): 0.57
> Avg. daily deaths (past 7 days): 60.14 (4th highest)
> 14-day change in avg new deaths: -42.33% (17th lowest decrease)
> Total COVID-19 deaths: 36,129 (8th highest)
> Total COVID-19 deaths per 100,000: 343 (12th highest)
Source: JannHuizenga / iStock via Getty Images
13. New Mexico
> Avg. daily deaths per 100,000 (past 7 days): 0.57
> Avg. daily deaths (past 7 days): 12.00 (18th lowest)
> 14-day change in avg new deaths: -41.67% (15th lowest decrease)
> Total COVID-19 deaths: 7,040 (17th lowest)
> Total COVID-19 deaths per 100,000: 336 (18th highest)
Source: egexplorer / iStock Editorial via Getty Images
12. Oregon
> Avg. daily deaths per 100,000 (past 7 days): 0.57
> Avg. daily deaths (past 7 days): 24.00 (21st highest)
> 14-day change in avg new deaths: 3.70% (7th highest increase)
> Total COVID-19 deaths: 6,854 (16th lowest)
> Total COVID-19 deaths per 100,000: 164 (7th lowest)
[in-text-ad-2]
Source: CRobertson / iStock Editorial via Getty Images
11. Mississippi
> Avg. daily deaths per 100,000 (past 7 days): 0.59
> Avg. daily deaths (past 7 days): 17.57 (25th lowest)
> 14-day change in avg new deaths: -41.98% (16th lowest decrease)
> Total COVID-19 deaths: 12,247 (25th lowest)
> Total COVID-19 deaths per 100,000: 410 (the highest)
Source: Lana2011 / iStock via Getty Images
10. Missouri
> Avg. daily deaths per 100,000 (past 7 days): 0.61
> Avg. daily deaths (past 7 days): 37.14 (12th highest)
> 14-day change in avg new deaths: -48.31% (21st lowest decrease)
> Total COVID-19 deaths: 19,347 (16th highest)
> Total COVID-19 deaths per 100,000: 316 (24th highest)
[in-text-ad]
Source: Achisatha Khamsuwan / iStock via Getty Images
9. Delaware
> Avg. daily deaths per 100,000 (past 7 days): 0.62
> Avg. daily deaths (past 7 days): 6.00 (15th lowest)
> 14-day change in avg new deaths: -14.29% (5th lowest decrease)
> Total COVID-19 deaths: 2,753 (8th lowest)
> Total COVID-19 deaths per 100,000: 285 (19th lowest)
24/7 Wall St.
Source: THEPALMER / E+ via Getty Images
8. Florida
> Avg. daily deaths per 100,000 (past 7 days): 0.71
> Avg. daily deaths (past 7 days): 151.86 (the highest)
> 14-day change in avg new deaths: 8.25% (5th highest increase)
> Total COVID-19 deaths: 71,853 (3rd highest)
> Total COVID-19 deaths per 100,000: 337 (17th highest)
Source: grandriver / E+ via Getty Images
7. Arizona
> Avg. daily deaths per 100,000 (past 7 days): 0.76
> Avg. daily deaths (past 7 days): 54.57 (6th highest)
> 14-day change in avg new deaths: -44.40% (19th lowest decrease)
> Total COVID-19 deaths: 28,090 (11th highest)
> Total COVID-19 deaths per 100,000: 392 (2nd highest)
[in-text-ad-2]
Source: BorderaS / E+ via Getty Images
6. Arkansas
> Avg. daily deaths per 100,000 (past 7 days): 0.83
> Avg. daily deaths (past 7 days): 25.00 (20th highest)
> 14-day change in avg new deaths: -8.38% (2nd lowest decrease)
> Total COVID-19 deaths: 10,836 (22nd lowest)
> Total COVID-19 deaths per 100,000: 360 (8th highest)
Source: Michael B. Thomas / Getty Images News via Getty Images
5. Oklahoma
> Avg. daily deaths per 100,000 (past 7 days): 0.85
> Avg. daily deaths (past 7 days): 33.57 (14th highest)
> 14-day change in avg new deaths: 5.38% (6th highest increase)
> Total COVID-19 deaths: 13,513 (24th highest)
> Total COVID-19 deaths per 100,000: 343 (14th highest)
[in-text-ad]
Source: Jon Cherry / Getty Images News via Getty Images
4. Kentucky
> Avg. daily deaths per 100,000 (past 7 days): 0.91
> Avg. daily deaths (past 7 days): 40.86 (10th highest)
> 14-day change in avg new deaths: 38.16% (2nd highest increase)
> Total COVID-19 deaths: 14,259 (21st highest)
> Total COVID-19 deaths per 100,000: 319 (22nd highest)
3. West Virginia
> Avg. daily deaths per 100,000 (past 7 days): 0.93
> Avg. daily deaths (past 7 days): 16.71 (23rd lowest)
> 14-day change in avg new deaths: -36.41% (11th lowest decrease)
> Total COVID-19 deaths: 6,544 (15th lowest)
> Total COVID-19 deaths per 100,000: 362 (6th highest)
Source: Butch Dill / Getty Images Sport via Getty Images
2. Alabama
> Avg. daily deaths per 100,000 (past 7 days): 1.03
> Avg. daily deaths (past 7 days): 50.29 (9th highest)
> 14-day change in avg new deaths: -11.78% (4th lowest decrease)
> Total COVID-19 deaths: 18,832 (18th highest)
> Total COVID-19 deaths per 100,000: 385 (3rd highest)
[in-text-ad-2]
Source: Prentiss Findlay / iStock Editorial via Getty Images
1. South Carolina
> Avg. daily deaths per 100,000 (past 7 days): 1.04
> Avg. daily deaths (past 7 days): 53.00 (7th highest)
> 14-day change in avg new deaths: 56.54% (the highest increase)
> Total COVID-19 deaths: 17,332 (19th highest)
> Total COVID-19 deaths per 100,000: 341 (16th highest)
Essential Tips for Investing: Sponsored
A financial advisor can help you understand the advantages and disadvantages of investment properties. Finding a qualified financial advisor doesn’t have to be hard. SmartAsset’s free tool matches you with up to three financial advisors who serve your area, and you can interview your advisor matches at no cost to decide which one is right for you. If you’re ready to find an advisor who can help you achieve your financial goals, get started now.
Investing in real estate can diversify your portfolio. But expanding your horizons may add additional costs. If you’re an investor looking to minimize expenses, consider checking out online brokerages. They often offer low investment fees, helping you maximize your profit.
Thank you for reading! Have some feedback for us?
Contact the 24/7 Wall St. editorial team.
Editors' Picks
