How Current COVID-19 Cases in Washington Compare to the Nation

Despite the ongoing vaccination effort, new daily cases of COVID-19 are on the rise in much of the United States.

Since the first known COVID-19 case was identified in the U.S. on Jan. 21, 2020, there have been a total of about 48,983,000 confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus in the United States — or 14,972 for every 100,000 people.

In Washington, the infection rate is far lower than the national average. Since the first known case of COVID-19 was reported in Washington on Jan. 21, 2020, there have been 784,129 total infections in the state — or 10,406 for every 100,000 people. Of all 50 states and Washington D.C., Washington ranks No. 45 by cumulative COVID-19 cases, adjusted for population.

Just as COVID-19 infections are less concentrated in Washington, so too are deaths. So far, there have been 9,436 COVID-19 related deaths in Washington, or 125 for every 100,000 people. Meanwhile, the national COVID-19 death rate stands at 239 per 100,000 Americans.

Like other states with a lower than average COVID-19 infection rate,Washington implemented strict measures early in the pandemic to help slow the virus’s spread. On Mar. 23, 2020, Washington implemented a temporary statewide stay-at-home order to limit person-to-person contact.

All COVID-19 data used in this story are current as of Dec. 8, 2021.

These are all the counties in Washington where COVID-19 is slowing (and where it’s still getting worse).