Five U.S. States Where COVID-19 Cases Are Rising Fastest

Total confirmed coronavirus cases in the U.S. have surpassed 8.2 million, according to the latest report Wednesday by Johns Hopkins University (JHU).

At least a handful of states within the midwest and eastern portions of the country have reported an increase in new COVID-19 cases per capita (100,000 people) in a recent two-week period.

Weekly new cases in the U.S. have been rising since late September, after decreasing from late July and flattening out from late August, according to data from the World Health Organization (WHO).

Here we take a closer look at the five states that have seen the greatest rise in new infections per capita over the past seven days since October 20, from the previous week, according to data compiled by The New York Times. All population data below is from the U.S. Census Bureau.

1. Idaho

Week-to-week increase in new cases per capita: 1,629

• New cases per capita in week one: 3,831.
• New cases per capita in week two: 5,460.
• Total population: 1,787,065 (as of July 2019).
• Total confirmed cases: 55,153 (as of October 21).

Average daily new infections in Idaho sharply increased from mid-June to late July and then declined through early September. The average daily case count rose then again through October, peaking at 795 on October 19, according to the latest report Tuesday by Johns Hopkins University (JHU).

2. Nebraska

Week-to-week increase in new cases per capita: 1,398

• New cases per capita in week one: 4,580.
• New cases per capita in week two: 5,978.
• Total population: 1,934,408 (as of July 2019).
• Total confirmed cases: 59,409 (as of October 21).

The average daily case count in Nebraska increased sharply from early September, after flattening out for months from early May. The figure peaked at 951 on October 13, according to JHU.

3. Rhode Island

Week-to-week increase in new cases per capita: 1,178

• New cases per capita in week one: 875.
• New cases per capita in week two: 2,053.
• Total population: 1,059,361 (as of July 2019).
• Total confirmed cases: 28,649 (as of October 21).

Average daily new cases in Rhode Island have been rising sharply since late September, after declining from late April, peaking at 390 on April 30. The average count flattened out from early June to late September, according to JHU.

4. North Dakota

Week-to-week increase in new cases per capita: 1,023

• New cases per capita in week one: 3,877.
• New cases per capita in week two: 4,900.
• Total population: 762,062 (as of July 2019).
• Total confirmed cases: 33,671 (as of October 21).

Average daily new cases in North Dakota have been rising sharply since early July, after flattening out for months from March, according to JHU.

5. South Dakota

Week-to-week increase in new cases per capita: 584.

• New cases per capita in week one: 4,327.
• New cases per capita in week two: 4,911.
• Total population: 884,659 (as of July 2019).
• Total confirmed cases: 34,457 (as of October 21).

Average daily new cases in South Dakota have been rising on a sharp incline from mid-August through October, after flattening out from mid-April. The average daily case count peaked at 750 on October 17, according to JHU.

The wider picture

The novel coronavirus has infected more than 40.8 million people across the globe since it was first reported in Wuhan, China. Globally, more than 1.1 million have died following infection, while more than 27.9 million have reportedly recovered as of Wednesday, according to JHU.

The graphic below, provided by Statista, illustrates the spread of COVID-19 cases in the U.S.

The graphic below, also produced by Statista, illustrates a survey of U.S. adults concerned about catching COVID-19.