Special Report

States With the Highest Number of COVID-19 Cases

Samuel Stebbins

Published: May 1, 2022 5:45 am

The omicron variant brought new daily cases of COVID-19 to all time highs in the United States. Though omicron appears to have peaked, the virus is still spreading.

Since the first known case was identified in the U.S. on Jan. 21, 2020, there have been a total of 80,333,600 confirmed cases of COVID-19 nationwide — or 24,554 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 16,808 to as high as 33,243, 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, virtually no corner of the country has been spared.

Still, some states have been hit harder than others.

The severity of a COVID-19 outbreak across a given state is subject to a wide range of factors. 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 2020 — and of those eight states, seven 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 April 28, 2022.

Source: maximkabb / iStock

51. Hawaii
> Cumulative cases of COVID-19 as of April 28: 16,808 per 100,000 people (238,763 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of April 28: 98 per 100,000 people (1,395 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: Davel5957 / Getty Images

50. Maryland
> Cumulative cases of COVID-19 as of April 28: 17,025 per 100,000 people (1,028,752 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of April 28: 239 per 100,000 people (14,441 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: 4nadia / Getty Images

49. Oregon
> Cumulative cases of COVID-19 as of April 28: 17,121 per 100,000 people (717,505 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of April 28: 179 per 100,000 people (7,486 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 April 28: 18,165 per 100,000 people (243,127 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of April 28: 171 per 100,000 people (2,282 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: SeanPavonePhoto / Getty Images

47. Vermont
> Cumulative cases of COVID-19 as of April 28: 18,203 per 100,000 people (114,008 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of April 28: 96 per 100,000 people (600 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: aiisha5 / iStock

46. Washington
> Cumulative cases of COVID-19 as of April 28: 19,783 per 100,000 people (1,490,793 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of April 28: 168 per 100,000 people (12,672 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: SeanPavonePhoto / Getty Images

45. Virginia
> Cumulative cases of COVID-19 as of April 28: 19,930 per 100,000 people (1,697,578 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of April 28: 237 per 100,000 people (20,202 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: Matt Anderson / iStock via Getty Images

44. Washington D.C.
> Cumulative cases of COVID-19 as of April 28: 20,737 per 100,000 people (141,943 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of April 28: 196 per 100,000 people (1,340 total deaths)
> Population: 702,455

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

Source: SeanPavonePhoto / Getty Images

43. Connecticut
> Cumulative cases of COVID-19 as of April 28: 21,131 per 100,000 people (754,924 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of April 28: 303 per 100,000 people (10,838 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

42. Pennsylvania
> Cumulative cases of COVID-19 as of April 28: 21,947 per 100,000 people (2,810,781 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of April 28: 348 per 100,000 people (44,616 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: DenisTangneyJr / Getty Images

41. New Hampshire
> Cumulative cases of COVID-19 as of April 28: 22,754 per 100,000 people (308,653 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of April 28: 183 per 100,000 people (2,477 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: Sean Pavone / Getty Images

40. Ohio
> Cumulative cases of COVID-19 as of April 28: 22,998 per 100,000 people (2,688,327 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of April 28: 328 per 100,000 people (38,360 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: iip-photo-archive / Flickr

39. Missouri
> Cumulative cases of COVID-19 as of April 28: 23,197 per 100,000 people (1,421,159 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of April 28: 332 per 100,000 people (20,314 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: choness / Getty Images

38. California
> Cumulative cases of COVID-19 as of April 28: 23,255 per 100,000 people (9,198,997 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of April 28: 226 per 100,000 people (89,391 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: RoschetzkyIstockPhoto / Getty Images

37. Texas
> Cumulative cases of COVID-19 as of April 28: 23,444 per 100,000 people (6,728,959 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of April 28: 301 per 100,000 people (86,498 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

36. Nevada
> Cumulative cases of COVID-19 as of April 28: 23,676 per 100,000 people (718,437 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of April 28: 354 per 100,000 people (10,749 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: Sean Pavone / Getty Images

35. Georgia
> Cumulative cases of COVID-19 as of April 28: 23,853 per 100,000 people (2,509,160 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of April 28: 358 per 100,000 people (37,659 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: pawel.gaul / Getty Images

34. Michigan
> Cumulative cases of COVID-19 as of April 28: 24,124 per 100,000 people (2,411,464 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of April 28: 359 per 100,000 people (35,935 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: pabradyphoto / Getty Images

33. Iowa
> Cumulative cases of COVID-19 as of April 28: 24,177 per 100,000 people (763,072 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of April 28: 301 per 100,000 people (9,510 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

32. Colorado
> Cumulative cases of COVID-19 as of April 28: 24,223 per 100,000 people (1,379,646 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of April 28: 213 per 100,000 people (12,141 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

31. Illinois
> Cumulative cases of COVID-19 as of April 28: 24,525 per 100,000 people (3,124,700 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of April 28: 297 per 100,000 people (37,872 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: DenisTangneyJr / Getty Images

30. Nebraska
> Cumulative cases of COVID-19 as of April 28: 24,856 per 100,000 people (479,545 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of April 28: 218 per 100,000 people (4,197 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: ferrantraite / Getty Images

29. New Mexico
> Cumulative cases of COVID-19 as of April 28: 24,891 per 100,000 people (521,583 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of April 28: 356 per 100,000 people (7,456 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

28. Louisiana
> Cumulative cases of COVID-19 as of April 28: 25,159 per 100,000 people (1,172,417 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of April 28: 370 per 100,000 people (17,235 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

27. New Jersey
> Cumulative cases of COVID-19 as of April 28: 25,245 per 100,000 people (2,248,959 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of April 28: 375 per 100,000 people (33,407 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: SeanPavonePhoto / Getty Images

26. Massachusetts
> Cumulative cases of COVID-19 as of April 28: 25,305 per 100,000 people (1,746,596 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of April 28: 293 per 100,000 people (20,238 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: Davel5957 / Getty Images

25. Indiana
> Cumulative cases of COVID-19 as of April 28: 25,392 per 100,000 people (1,699,213 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of April 28: 352 per 100,000 people (23,552 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: knowlesgallery / Getty Images

24. Idaho
> Cumulative cases of COVID-19 as of April 28: 25,406 per 100,000 people (445,670 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of April 28: 281 per 100,000 people (4,922 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: Sean Pavone / Getty Images

23. North Carolina
> Cumulative cases of COVID-19 as of April 28: 25,498 per 100,000 people (2,647,650 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of April 28: 225 per 100,000 people (23,363 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: peeterv / Getty Images

22. Montana
> Cumulative cases of COVID-19 as of April 28: 25,763 per 100,000 people (273,680 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of April 28: 313 per 100,000 people (3,322 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

21. Minnesota
> Cumulative cases of COVID-19 as of April 28: 25,798 per 100,000 people (1,447,575 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of April 28: 227 per 100,000 people (12,754 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

20. New York
> Cumulative cases of COVID-19 as of April 28: 26,211 per 100,000 people (5,122,267 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of April 28: 346 per 100,000 people (67,610 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: DenisTangneyJr / Getty Images

19. Oklahoma
> Cumulative cases of COVID-19 as of April 28: 26,374 per 100,000 people (1,039,952 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of April 28: 359 per 100,000 people (14,173 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 / iStock via Getty Images

18. Kansas
> Cumulative cases of COVID-19 as of April 28: 26,577 per 100,000 people (773,796 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of April 28: 295 per 100,000 people (8,597 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: Kruck20 / Getty Images

17. Alabama
> Cumulative cases of COVID-19 as of April 28: 26,602 per 100,000 people (1,300,278 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of April 28: 400 per 100,000 people (19,559 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: SeanPavonePhoto / Getty Images

16. Mississippi
> Cumulative cases of COVID-19 as of April 28: 26,692 per 100,000 people (797,161 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of April 28: 416 per 100,000 people (12,436 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: EunikaSopotnicka / Getty Images

15. South Dakota
> Cumulative cases of COVID-19 as of April 28: 26,924 per 100,000 people (237,535 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of April 28: 329 per 100,000 people (2,901 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: mdgmorris / Getty Images

14. Delaware
> Cumulative cases of COVID-19 as of April 28: 27,065 per 100,000 people (261,762 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of April 28: 300 per 100,000 people (2,906 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: Cliff / Wikimedia Commons

13. Wyoming
> Cumulative cases of COVID-19 as of April 28: 27,097 per 100,000 people (156,550 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of April 28: 314 per 100,000 people (1,812 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

12. Wisconsin
> Cumulative cases of COVID-19 as of April 28: 27,618 per 100,000 people (1,605,576 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of April 28: 248 per 100,000 people (14,411 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

11. West Virginia
> Cumulative cases of COVID-19 as of April 28: 27,713 per 100,000 people (500,444 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of April 28: 379 per 100,000 people (6,845 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: Sean Pavone / Getty Images

10. Arkansas
> Cumulative cases of COVID-19 as of April 28: 27,714 per 100,000 people (835,247 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of April 28: 377 per 100,000 people (11,375 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 April 28: 27,777 per 100,000 people (5,916,354 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of April 28: 347 per 100,000 people (73,897 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

8. Arizona
> Cumulative cases of COVID-19 as of April 28: 28,155 per 100,000 people (2,019,174 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of April 28: 416 per 100,000 people (29,852 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

7. South Carolina
> Cumulative cases of COVID-19 as of April 28: 28,955 per 100,000 people (1,472,093 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of April 28: 349 per 100,000 people (17,734 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: Bill_Dally / iStock

6. Utah
> Cumulative cases of COVID-19 as of April 28: 29,438 per 100,000 people (930,558 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of April 28: 150 per 100,000 people (4,740 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: Sean Pavone / Getty Images

5. Kentucky
> Cumulative cases of COVID-19 as of April 28: 29,689 per 100,000 people (1,326,646 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of April 28: 346 per 100,000 people (15,447 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: Sean Pavone / Getty Images

4. Tennessee
> Cumulative cases of COVID-19 as of April 28: 29,966 per 100,000 people (2,028,706 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of April 28: 386 per 100,000 people (26,151 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

3. North Dakota
> Cumulative cases of COVID-19 as of April 28: 31,696 per 100,000 people (240,914 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of April 28: 298 per 100,000 people (2,263 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).

Source: volvob12b / Flickr

2. Alaska
> Cumulative cases of COVID-19 as of April 28: 33,015 per 100,000 people (243,466 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of April 28: 165 per 100,000 people (1,215 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: SeanPavonePhoto / Getty Images

1. Rhode Island
> Cumulative cases of COVID-19 as of April 28: 33,243 per 100,000 people (351,487 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of April 28: 335 per 100,000 people (3,538 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).

Click here to see all coronavirus data for every state.