Where every state stands on flattening the curve
Where every state stands on flattening the curve
Completely containing the coronavirus is an impossible mission. The next best thing we can do is “flatten the curve.” You’ve probably heard that phrase regularly since the pandemic began, but what does it really mean? And more importantly, are states’ efforts to flatten the curve paying off?
Flattening the curve is an epidemiological concept that focuses on slowing the spread of a particular virus to minimize the amount of people who need treatment at the same time. Steep curves, which tend to occur when precautions are not taken, indicate a rapid rise in infections and make it more likely that the health care system is overwhelmed—perhaps to the point of leaving patients untreated. Social distancing, mask-wearing, and avoiding large gatherings help to reduce the curve. The same number of people may still get sick, but those infections are spread out over a longer period of time, allowing hospitals to keep up with cases.
Every state has taken different measures to keep the coronavirus under control. Some, like South Dakota and Iowa, have been relatively hands-off, even avoiding stay-at-home orders. Others, like New York and California, issued a series of strict precautions early on and have only recently started reopening businesses that were shut down. Most recently, the entire Tri-State Area—New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut—on June 24 put into effect a required two-week quarantine period for anyone traveling to the region from states with COVID-19 cases exceeding a certain level. As of press time, residents traveling to the Tri-State Area from Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, Florida, North Carolina, South Carolina, Utah, and Texas are subject to enforced, 14-day quarantine.
To examine how every state stands on flattening its curve of COVID-19 cases, Stacker used current and historical data from the COVID Tracking Project, a volunteer effort based at The Atlantic which compiles and standardizes daily testing and outcomes data from state health departments. We looked at the data and visualized how cases and deaths in every state have progressed over the past month. As supporting data, we’ve pulled out insights on how many new cases, deaths, and tests have occurred in each state over the past week (June 18 to June 24), as well as the weeks with the highest new case and death rates so far for each state. At least 16 states had record-breaking rates of new cases during the week of June 18 to June 24.
We also calculated the test-positivity ratio, or the share of tests that have returned positive results, for the week of June 18 to June 24. However, it is important to note that some states, such as Florida, may be inflating their test counts by conflating the results of viral and antibody tests and/or reporting the number of specimens tested rather than the number of people tested, so test-positivity ratios should be taken with a grain of salt.
Wondering how your state is doing with its efforts to flatten the curve? Click through to see the latest statistics from all 50 states, plus Washington D.C.
Editor's note: Betsy Ladyzhets, a research associate at Stacker who worked on this story, volunteers for the COVID-19 Tracking Project.
Alabama
- Average new cases per day, June 18 to June 24: 14.0 per 100,000 people (-1.7 from previous week)
- Average new deaths per day, June 18 to June 24: 0.3 per 100,000 people (+0.2 from previous week)
- Average new tests per day, June 18 to June 24: 141.1 per 100,000 people (+30.5 from previous week)
- Average positive test ratio, June 18 to June 24: 10.82% (recommended rate: 10%)
- Week with the most new cases: June 11 to June 17 (15.6 new cases per day)
- Week with the most new deaths: May 7 to May 13 (0.3 new deaths per day)
Restaurants, salons, and fitness centers in Alabama were allowed to reopen with limited operations on May 11. The state had a stay-at-home mandate in effect until April 30, which was then loosened by Gov. Kay Ivey to a “Safer at Home” order that encourages Alabamans to stay home and follow sanitation guidelines until July 3.
Alaska
- Average new cases per day, June 18 to June 24: 1.9 per 100,000 people (-0.1 from previous week)
- Average new deaths per day, June 18 to June 24: 0.0 per 100,000 people (0.0 from previous week)
- Average new tests per day, June 18 to June 24: 355.7 per 100,000 people (+162.4 from previous week)
- Average positive test ratio, June 18 to June 24: 0.58% (recommended rate: 10%)
- Week with the most new cases: June 11 to June 17 (2.0 new cases per day)
- Week with the most new deaths: April 2 to April 8 (0.1 new deaths per day)
To help prevent new coronavirus infections, Gov. Mike Dunleavy announced new requirements for arrivals to Alaska in early June. Health Mandate 10 requires travelers to Alaska, as well as residents returning home, to self-quarantine for two weeks while tracking potential symptoms of COVID-19, unless they can provide negative test results for the disease, according to Elizabeth Roman and Jes Stugelmayer of KTVA.
Arizona
- Average new cases per day, June 18 to June 24: 39.2 per 100,000 people (+16.4 from previous week)
- Average new deaths per day, June 18 to June 24: 0.5 per 100,000 people (+0.2 from previous week)
- Average new tests per day, June 18 to June 24: 170.7 per 100,000 people (+33.9 from previous week)
- Average positive test ratio, June 18 to June 24: 23.20% (recommended rate: 10%)
- Week with the most new cases: June 18 to June 24 (39.2 new cases per day)
- Week with the most new deaths: June 18 to June 24 (0.5 new deaths per day)
Arizona’s daily number of coronavirus cases hit a record high on June 16. The state’s stay-at-home order ended on May 15, but the infection rates have sparked concern from doctors, who sent a letter to Gov. Doug Ducey in mid-June calling on him to mandate mask-wearing, according to Soo Kin of Newsweek.
Arkansas
- Average new cases per day, June 18 to June 24: 18.0 per 100,000 people (+2.5 from previous week)
- Average new deaths per day, June 18 to June 24: 0.2 per 100,000 people (+0.1 from previous week)
- Average new tests per day, June 18 to June 24: 244.4 per 100,000 people (+31.9 from previous week)
- Average positive test ratio, June 18 to June 24: 6.50% (recommended rate: 10%)
- Week with the most new cases: June 18 to June 24 (18.0 new cases per day)
- Week with the most new deaths: June 18 to June 24 (0.2 new deaths per day)
Arkansas has resisted some of the coronavirus prevention efforts that have been used in other states. Gov. Asa Hutchinson never implemented a stay-at-home order. However, he did close on-site learning at schools, ordered bars and restaurants to shut down, and banned gatherings larger than 10 people.
California
- Average new cases per day, June 18 to June 24: 12.1 per 100,000 people (+4.5 from previous week)
- Average new deaths per day, June 18 to June 24: 0.2 per 100,000 people (0.0 from previous week)
- Average new tests per day, June 18 to June 24: 217.1 per 100,000 people (+50.3 from previous week)
- Average positive test ratio, June 18 to June 24: 5.55% (recommended rate: 10%)
- Week with the most new cases: June 18 to June 24 (12.1 new cases per day)
- Week with the most new deaths: April 23 to April 29 (0.2 new deaths per day)
California made headlines in mid-March when it became the first state to require residents to stay home amid the coronavirus outbreak. The state began relaxing its prevention efforts in May, first with the reopening of restaurants and shopping centers in certain counties, followed by resumed activities at religious centers and in-store retail shopping.
Colorado
- Average new cases per day, June 18 to June 24: 3.7 per 100,000 people (+0.9 from previous week)
- Average new deaths per day, June 18 to June 24: 0.1 per 100,000 people (0.0 from previous week)
- Average new tests per day, June 18 to June 24: 88.2 per 100,000 people (+9.3 from previous week)
- Average positive test ratio, June 18 to June 24: 4.96% (recommended rate: 10%)
- Week with the most new cases: April 23 to April 29 (11.1 new cases per day)
- Week with the most new deaths: April 23 to April 29 (0.7 new deaths per day)
After being in a state of emergency from mid-March, Colorado has transitioned to its Level 2 reopening phase, “Safer at Home and in the Vast, Great Outdoors.” It recommends that people stay at home, and practice social distancing when spending time in nature.
Connecticut
- Average new cases per day, June 18 to June 24: 1.9 per 100,000 people (-2.4 from previous week)
- Average new deaths per day, June 18 to June 24: 0.3 per 100,000 people (-0.1 from previous week)
- Average new tests per day, June 18 to June 24: 137.6 per 100,000 people (-65.6 from previous week)
- Average positive test ratio, June 18 to June 24: 0.92% (recommended rate: 10%)
- Week with the most new cases: April 16 to April 22 (30.8 new cases per day)
- Week with the most new deaths: April 16 to April 22 (2.7 new deaths per day)
Connecticut moved into the second phase of its reopening on June 16. After months of being closed, restaurants could begin offering indoor dining at 50% capacity, while libraries, entertainment events, social clubs, gyms, and other facilities could also reopen with limited operations. Customers are still required to wear a face mask or covering.
Delaware
- Average new cases per day, June 18 to June 24: 6.7 per 100,000 people (+0.9 from previous week)
- Average new deaths per day, June 18 to June 24: 0.0 per 100,000 people (-0.1 from previous week)
- Average new tests per day, June 18 to June 24: 174.7 per 100,000 people (-48.6 from previous week)
- Average positive test ratio, June 18 to June 24: 4.06% (recommended rate: 10%)
- Week with the most new cases: April 23 to April 29 (21.9 new cases per day)
- Week with the most new deaths: May 14 to May 20 (0.9 new deaths per day)
Delaware was quick to move into a state of emergency on March 12 when the coronavirus outbreak hit the U.S. The state has closed all public schools for the current academic year. Most businesses were allowed to reopen on June 1.
Florida
- Average new cases per day, June 18 to June 24: 18.2 per 100,000 people (+7.6 from previous week)
- Average new deaths per day, June 18 to June 24: 0.2 per 100,000 people (+0.0 from previous week)
- Average new tests per day, June 18 to June 24: 126.6 per 100,000 people (-16.8 from previous week)
- Average positive test ratio, June 18 to June 24: 14.84% (recommended rate: 10%)
- Week with the most new cases: June 18 to June 24 (18.2 new cases per day)
- Week with the most new deaths: April 30 to May 6 (0.3 new deaths per day)
Florida set at least three new daily records for COVID-19 cases in mid-June, according to Greg Allen of NPR. While Gov. Ron DeSantis points to increased testing as the reason for the rising cases, local officials and medical experts say that cases of COVID-19 are rising due to more people getting infected. Businesses in most Florida counties have been allowed to reopen at some capacity since early May.
Georgia
- Average new cases per day, June 18 to June 24: 13.0 per 100,000 people (+4.6 from previous week)
- Average new deaths per day, June 18 to June 24: 0.2 per 100,000 people (-0.2 from previous week)
- Average new tests per day, June 18 to June 24: 128.7 per 100,000 people (+18.4 from previous week)
- Average positive test ratio, June 18 to June 24: 12.42% (recommended rate: 10%)
- Week with the most new cases: June 18 to June 24 (13.0 new cases per day)
- Week with the most new deaths: April 16 to April 22 (0.4 new deaths per day)
Georgia was one of the first states to move forward with President Trump’s call for economies to reopen, lifting some restrictions at the end of April and beginning of May, according to Alexander Nazaryan of Yahoo News. Gov. Brian Kemp allowed for crowds as large as 50 people (no social distancing required) and in-person dining to move forward with fewer restrictions in a new executive order on June 11.
Hawaii
- Average new cases per day, June 18 to June 24: 0.8 per 100,000 people (+0.2 from previous week)
- Average new deaths per day, June 18 to June 24: 0.0 per 100,000 people (0.0 from previous week)
- Average new tests per day, June 18 to June 24: 73.3 per 100,000 people (+2.3 from previous week)
- Average positive test ratio, June 18 to June 24: 1.07% (recommended rate: 10%)
- Week with the most new cases: April 2 to April 8 (2.0 new cases per day)
- Week with the most new deaths: April 23 to April 29 (0.0 new deaths per day)
Hawaii has slowly begun reopening the economy after closing nonessential businesses and inter-island travel. As of June 17, the state was in its “Act with Care” phase, which allows nearly all businesses (with the exception of large venues, bars, and clubs) to open to customers, as long as they allow for physical distancing and follow other safe practices.
Idaho
- Average new cases per day, June 18 to June 24: 7.3 per 100,000 people (+4.6 from previous week)
- Average new deaths per day, June 18 to June 24: 0.0 per 100,000 people (0.0 from previous week)
- Average new tests per day, June 18 to June 24: 93.5 per 100,000 people (+28.1 from previous week)
- Average positive test ratio, June 18 to June 24: 6.67% (recommended rate: 10%)
- Week with the most new cases: June 18 to June 24 (7.3 new cases per day)
- Week with the most new deaths: April 9 to April 15 (0.2 new deaths per day)
After nonessential travel and large gatherings were banned, Idaho began reopening on May 1. As of June 13, the state allowed nightclubs and large venues to reopen with some physical distancing measures, as well as allowing gatherings of more than 50 people to move forward.
Illinois
- Average new cases per day, June 18 to June 24: 5.0 per 100,000 people (+0.0 from previous week)
- Average new deaths per day, June 18 to June 24: 0.3 per 100,000 people (-0.1 from previous week)
- Average new tests per day, June 18 to June 24: 190.1 per 100,000 people (+13.6 from previous week)
- Average positive test ratio, June 18 to June 24: 2.64% (recommended rate: 10%)
- Week with the most new cases: April 30 to May 6 (19.9 new cases per day)
- Week with the most new deaths: May 7 to May 13 (0.9 new deaths per day)
Illinois. Gov. J. B. Pritzker ordered schools and universities to close, restaurants to stop offering sit-down dining, and large gatherings to cease in mid-March. Restrictions began loosening on outdoor activities on May 1, and businesses in most parts of the state were allowed to reopen on May 29.
Indiana
- Average new cases per day, June 18 to June 24: 4.6 per 100,000 people (-1.2 from previous week)
- Average new deaths per day, June 18 to June 24: 0.2 per 100,000 people (0.0 from previous week)
- Average new tests per day, June 18 to June 24: 130.6 per 100,000 people (+20.7 from previous week)
- Average positive test ratio, June 18 to June 24: 3.59% (recommended rate: 10%)
- Week with the most new cases: April 23 to April 29 (10.2 new cases per day)
- Week with the most new deaths: April 23 to April 29 (0.9 new deaths per day)
Gov. Eric Holcomb moved Indiana into Stage 4 of its reopening plan on June 12, a few days earlier than expected. It allows for social gatherings of up to 250 people (as long as they keep 6 feet apart), full capacity at stores and malls, 75% capacity at restaurants, and 50% capacity at bars, nightclubs, movie theaters, and bowling alleys.
Iowa
- Average new cases per day, June 18 to June 24: 10.2 per 100,000 people (+1.5 from previous week)
- Average new deaths per day, June 18 to June 24: 0.1 per 100,000 people (-0.1 from previous week)
- Average new tests per day, June 18 to June 24: 158.8 per 100,000 people (+11.5 from previous week)
- Average positive test ratio, June 18 to June 24: 6.38% (recommended rate: 10%)
- Week with the most new cases: April 30 to May 6 (16.2 new cases per day)
- Week with the most new deaths: May 21 to May 27 (0.5 new deaths per day)
Iowans have not been subject to a statewide stay-at-home mandate, but they did see public schools and nonessential businesses close early on in the public health crisis. Gov. Kim Reynolds loosened restrictions in every county on May 15, and bars reopened at 50% capacity on May 28.
Kansas
- Average new cases per day, June 18 to June 24: 6.3 per 100,000 people (+2.1 from previous week)
- Average new deaths per day, June 18 to June 24: 0.1 per 100,000 people (+0.0 from previous week)
- Average new tests per day, June 18 to June 24: 96.2 per 100,000 people (+5.9 from previous week)
- Average positive test ratio, June 18 to June 24: 2.84% (recommended rate: 10%)
- Week with the most new cases: April 30 to May 6 (9.8 new cases per day)
- Week with the most new deaths: April 9 to April 15 (0.2 new deaths per day)
Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly announced in late May that she would allow county health officials to determine reopening plans in their areas, after previously using an executive order to determine coronavirus restrictions. Some counties, including Wyandotte and Johnson, decided to stick with Kelly’s Phase 2 mandates anyway, which allowed for gatherings of up to 15 people and encouraged people to wear face masks, work remotely, and avoid unnecessary travel, according to KSHB.
Kentucky
- Average new cases per day, June 18 to June 24: 4.4 per 100,000 people (+0.8 from previous week)
- Average new deaths per day, June 18 to June 24: 0.1 per 100,000 people (0.0 from previous week)
- Average new tests per day, June 18 to June 24: 115.3 per 100,000 people (+33.4 from previous week)
- Average positive test ratio, June 18 to June 24: 17.36% (recommended rate: 10%)
- Week with the most new cases: June 4 to June 10 (4.7 new cases per day)
- Week with the most new deaths: April 16 to April 22 (0.2 new deaths per day)
Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear ordered childcare facilities, restaurants, bars, and schools in the state to close in mid-March. In mid-May, the state began to reopen nonessential stores and restaurants at reduced capacity. Bars are scheduled to resume operations on June 29, according to a June 9 article from WDRB.
Louisiana
- Average new cases per day, June 18 to June 24: 11.8 per 100,000 people (-2.3 from previous week)
- Average new deaths per day, June 18 to June 24: 0.3 per 100,000 people (0.0 from previous week)
- Average new tests per day, June 18 to June 24: 316.4 per 100,000 people (+55.7 from previous week)
- Average positive test ratio, June 18 to June 24: 4.79% (recommended rate: 10%)
- Week with the most new cases: April 2 to April 8 (32.5 new cases per day)
- Week with the most new deaths: April 9 to April 15 (1.4 new deaths per day)
Louisiana went under a statewide stay-at-home mandate on March 22. That measure was lifted nearly two months later, and many businesses were allowed to resume operations at 25% capacity as of May 15.
Maine
- Average new cases per day, June 18 to June 24: 1.9 per 100,000 people (-0.2 from previous week)
- Average new deaths per day, June 18 to June 24: 0.0 per 100,000 people (0.0 from previous week)
- Average new tests per day, June 18 to June 24: 119.7 per 100,000 people (+11.7 from previous week)
- Average positive test ratio, June 18 to June 24: 29.63% (recommended rate: 10%)
- Week with the most new cases: May 21 to May 27 (3.4 new cases per day)
- Week with the most new deaths: April 16 to April 22 (0.2 new deaths per day)
Gov. Janet Mills took swift action to help stop the spread of COVID-19 in Maine, closing public schools, banning large gatherings, and prohibiting visitors at nursing homes in March. She began easing restrictions in late May, starting with permitting gatherings of up to 50 people and allowing restaurants to reopen and/or offer food service with fewer restrictions, according to Gabrielle Mannino of News Center Maine.
Maryland
- Average new cases per day, June 18 to June 24: 5.6 per 100,000 people (-2.7 from previous week)
- Average new deaths per day, June 18 to June 24: 0.3 per 100,000 people (-0.1 from previous week)
- Average new tests per day, June 18 to June 24: 116.9 per 100,000 people (-18.1 from previous week)
- Average positive test ratio, June 18 to June 24: 4.84% (recommended rate: 10%)
- Week with the most new cases: May 14 to May 20 (17.9 new cases per day)
- Week with the most new deaths: April 23 to April 29 (0.9 new deaths per day)
After months of being shut down to help reduce the spread of COVID-19, indoor dining and amusement parks in Maryland were allowed to reopen with local approval on June 12. Gyms, casinos, shopping malls, and arcades were able to reopen on June 19, according to a June 10 article from Pamela Wood and McKenna Oxenden of The Baltimore Sun.
Massachusetts
- Average new cases per day, June 18 to June 24: 3.1 per 100,000 people (-1.1 from previous week)
- Average new deaths per day, June 18 to June 24: 0.4 per 100,000 people (-0.2 from previous week)
- Average new tests per day, June 18 to June 24: 131.8 per 100,000 people (+6.4 from previous week)
- Average positive test ratio, June 18 to June 24: 2.34% (recommended rate: 10%)
- Week with the most new cases: April 23 to April 29 (32.1 new cases per day)
- Week with the most new deaths: April 16 to April 22 (2.3 new deaths per day)
Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker quickly shut down large public gatherings, schools, and many businesses, and also issued a stay-at-home order in March, in an effort to help flatten the curve of coronavirus infections. The stay-at-home advisory was lifted on May 18, and the state has since pressed forward with a four-phase reopening plan.
Michigan
- Average new cases per day, June 18 to June 24: 3.0 per 100,000 people (+1.1 from previous week)
- Average new deaths per day, June 18 to June 24: 0.1 per 100,000 people (0.0 from previous week)
- Average new tests per day, June 18 to June 24: 136.2 per 100,000 people (+1.6 from previous week)
- Average positive test ratio, June 18 to June 24: 16.02% (recommended rate: 10%)
- Week with the most new cases: April 2 to April 8 (11.0 new cases per day)
- Week with the most new deaths: April 9 to April 15 (1.4 new deaths per day)
Michigan’s efforts to flatten the curve have been working, according COVID Act Now, which determined in mid-June that it was one of two states “on track to contain” the coronavirus. The state has had some of “the most restrictive” coronavirus prevention measures in the country, but it ended its stay-at-home mandate on June 1 after seeing reduced infection rates, according to Craig Mauger of The Detroit News.
Minnesota
- Average new cases per day, June 18 to June 24: 6.4 per 100,000 people (+3.5 from previous week)
- Average new deaths per day, June 18 to June 24: 0.2 per 100,000 people (0.0 from previous week)
- Average new tests per day, June 18 to June 24: 209.5 per 100,000 people (+37.0 from previous week)
- Average positive test ratio, June 18 to June 24: 3.13% (recommended rate: 10%)
- Week with the most new cases: May 21 to May 27 (12.4 new cases per day)
- Week with the most new deaths: June 4 to June 10 (0.4 new deaths per day)
Minnesota had a stay-at-home order in effect until May 17. Once it expired, stores were permitted to reopen at half capacity. Restaurants and bars meeting certain requirements were allowed to reopen on June 10, according to Alex Jokich of KSTP.
Mississippi
- Average new cases per day, June 18 to June 24: 13.3 per 100,000 people (+3.0 from previous week)
- Average new deaths per day, June 18 to June 24: 0.3 per 100,000 people (+0.0 from previous week)
- Average new tests per day, June 18 to June 24: 82.6 per 100,000 people (-63.2 from previous week)
- Average positive test ratio, June 18 to June 24: -0.83% (recommended rate: 10%)
- Week with the most new cases: June 18 to June 24 (13.3 new cases per day)
- Week with the most new deaths: April 30 to May 6 (0.6 new deaths per day)
All Mississippi businesses got the green light to reopen on June 1. The state continued to work to flatten the curve in mid-June by limiting indoor recreational facilities to 50% capacity, banning outdoor crowds larger than 50 (unless social distancing is possible), and mandating that people in vulnerable populations stay sheltered in place, among other measures, according to Sydney Franklin of WCBI.
Missouri
- Average new cases per day, June 18 to June 24: 5.3 per 100,000 people (+1.9 from previous week)
- Average new deaths per day, June 18 to June 24: 0.2 per 100,000 people (+0.0 from previous week)
- Average new tests per day, June 18 to June 24: 98.6 per 100,000 people (+20.3 from previous week)
- Average positive test ratio, June 18 to June 24: 5.38% (recommended rate: 10%)
- Week with the most new cases: June 18 to June 24 (5.3 new cases per day)
- Week with the most new deaths: May 7 to May 13 (0.3 new deaths per day)
Missouri moved into Phase 2 of its reopening plan, which had no statewide health order, in mid-June. The state had spent the previous months increasing its testing capacity, building reserves of personal protective equipment, and improving the ability for the state’s public health data to help forecast future outbreaks, according to the Daily Journal.
Montana
- Average new cases per day, June 18 to June 24: 1.9 per 100,000 people (+0.9 from previous week)
- Average new deaths per day, June 18 to June 24: 0.0 per 100,000 people (0.0 from previous week)
- Average new tests per day, June 18 to June 24: 131.0 per 100,000 people (-18.5 from previous week)
- Average positive test ratio, June 18 to June 24: 1.76% (recommended rate: 10%)
- Week with the most new cases: March 26 to April 1 (2.1 new cases per day)
- Week with the most new deaths: April 16 to April 22 (0.1 new deaths per day)
Throughout the early months of the pandemic, Montana required out-of-state visitors to quarantine for 14 days, gatherings to allow no more than 10 people, and nonessential businesses to shut down. The state lifted many of those measures when it entered Phase 2 of its reopening plan on June 1.
Nebraska
- Average new cases per day, June 18 to June 24: 8.0 per 100,000 people (-0.7 from previous week)
- Average new deaths per day, June 18 to June 24: 0.2 per 100,000 people (-0.1 from previous week)
- Average new tests per day, June 18 to June 24: 141.9 per 100,000 people (+12.7 from previous week)
- Average positive test ratio, June 18 to June 24: 5.72% (recommended rate: 10%)
- Week with the most new cases: April 30 to May 6 (23.0 new cases per day)
- Week with the most new deaths: June 11 to June 17 (0.3 new deaths per day)
There has been no statewide stay-at-home requirement for Nebraska during the pandemic. Gov. Pete Ricketts began relaxing restrictions on public gatherings, bars, and lounges in 89 counties on June 1, according to Paul Hammel of the Omaha World-Herald. Restaurants and salons in some parts of the state began reopening in early May, according to Carl Norquist and Dean Welte of KTIV.
Nevada
- Average new cases per day, June 18 to June 24: 12.3 per 100,000 people (+4.1 from previous week)
- Average new deaths per day, June 18 to June 24: 0.0 per 100,000 people (0.0 from previous week)
- Average new tests per day, June 18 to June 24: 121.1 per 100,000 people (-75.8 from previous week)
- Average positive test ratio, June 18 to June 24: 10.32% (recommended rate: 10%)
- Week with the most new cases: June 18 to June 24 (12.3 new cases per day)
- Week with the most new deaths: April 9 to April 15 (0.3 new deaths per day)
Nevada had a stay-at-home order in effect until May 9 in an effort to flatten the curve. The state has slowly started to reopen since, while still encouraging residents to stay home as much as possible. Nevada moved into Phase 2 of its reopening plan in late May, which allowed casinos to resume business.
New Hampshire
- Average new cases per day, June 18 to June 24: 2.2 per 100,000 people (-0.3 from previous week)
- Average new deaths per day, June 18 to June 24: 0.2 per 100,000 people (-0.2 from previous week)
- Average new tests per day, June 18 to June 24: 106.0 per 100,000 people (-15.7 from previous week)
- Average positive test ratio, June 18 to June 24: 16.94% (recommended rate: 10%)
- Week with the most new cases: April 30 to May 6 (6.7 new cases per day)
- Week with the most new deaths: May 7 to May 13 (0.5 new deaths per day)
New Hampshire had a stay-at-home order in effect until June 15. However, some businesses (like retail stores and hair salons) began slowly reopening in May. All other businesses are allowed to reopen by the end of June, according to Kevin Landrigan of the New Hampshire Union Leader.
New Jersey
- Average new cases per day, June 18 to June 24: 3.5 per 100,000 people (-0.3 from previous week)
- Average new deaths per day, June 18 to June 24: 0.4 per 100,000 people (-0.3 from previous week)
- Average new tests per day, June 18 to June 24: 244.2 per 100,000 people (+20.7 from previous week)
- Average positive test ratio, June 18 to June 24: 1.45% (recommended rate: 10%)
- Week with the most new cases: April 2 to April 8 (40.5 new cases per day)
- Week with the most new deaths: April 16 to April 22 (3.1 new deaths per day)
New Jersey entered Stage 2 of its reopening on June 16, about three months after the state was locked down to help flatten the curve. This phase allows for restaurants and bars to reopen for outdoor service and retail stores to welcome customers at half-capacity, according to Matt Arco of NJ Advance Media.
New Mexico
- Average new cases per day, June 18 to June 24: 6.2 per 100,000 people (+0.5 from previous week)
- Average new deaths per day, June 18 to June 24: 0.2 per 100,000 people (-0.1 from previous week)
- Average new tests per day, June 18 to June 24: 208.4 per 100,000 people (+4.3 from previous week)
- Average positive test ratio, June 18 to June 24: 2.48% (recommended rate: 10%)
- Week with the most new cases: April 30 to May 6 (7.9 new cases per day)
- Week with the most new deaths: May 14 to May 20 (0.4 new deaths per day)
New Mexico ended its stay-at-home order on May 31. It has been gradually reopening businesses and facilities in most parts of the state. Gyms, hair salons, restaurants, and shopping malls were allowed to resume operations with some limitations in early June.
New York
- Average new cases per day, June 18 to June 24: 3.3 per 100,000 people (-0.3 from previous week)
- Average new deaths per day, June 18 to June 24: 0.1 per 100,000 people (-0.1 from previous week)
- Average new tests per day, June 18 to June 24: 321.0 per 100,000 people (-1.5 from previous week)
- Average positive test ratio, June 18 to June 24: 1.04% (recommended rate: 10%)
- Week with the most new cases: April 2 to April 8 (47.8 new cases per day)
- Week with the most new deaths: April 9 to April 15 (3.9 new deaths per day)
New York implemented a stay-at-home order from mid-March through May 28 and shut down nonessential businesses and services during that time. It has been gradually reopening different regions since May 15. New York City, where there was a high concentration of coronavirus cases, transitioned into the earliest phase of its reopening on June 8, which allowed for curbside pickup at retail stores, houses of worship to reopen, and certain industries (like construction) to resume projects.
North Carolina
- Average new cases per day, June 18 to June 24: 13.1 per 100,000 people (+0.9 from previous week)
- Average new deaths per day, June 18 to June 24: 0.1 per 100,000 people (0.0 from previous week)
- Average new tests per day, June 18 to June 24: 174.2 per 100,000 people (+14.2 from previous week)
- Average positive test ratio, June 18 to June 24: 7.69% (recommended rate: 10%)
- Week with the most new cases: June 18 to June 24 (13.1 new cases per day)
- Week with the most new deaths: May 28 to June 3 (0.2 new deaths per day)
North Carolina moved into Phase 2 of its reopening plan in May. Since then, it has seen record-high spikes of hospitalizations of people infected with the coronavirus, according to Matthew Burns of WRAL. Despite the new cases of the disease in his state, Gov. Roy Cooper had not taken the next phase of reopening off the table as of June 13.
North Dakota
- Average new cases per day, June 18 to June 24: 3.7 per 100,000 people (-0.6 from previous week)
- Average new deaths per day, June 18 to June 24: 0.2 per 100,000 people (+0.2 from previous week)
- Average new tests per day, June 18 to June 24: 171.2 per 100,000 people (+19.0 from previous week)
- Average positive test ratio, June 18 to June 24: 2.93% (recommended rate: 10%)
- Week with the most new cases: May 14 to May 20 (8.5 new cases per day)
- Week with the most new deaths: May 28 to June 3 (0.2 new deaths per day)
While Gov. Doug Burgum closed certain nonessential businesses to help flatten the curve, he did not issue a statewide stay-at-home order for North Dakota. He moved the state into the “low” risk level of reopening in late May, which allowed schools and businesses to reopen.
Ohio
- Average new cases per day, June 18 to June 24: 5.3 per 100,000 people (+1.8 from previous week)
- Average new deaths per day, June 18 to June 24: 0.2 per 100,000 people (0.0 from previous week)
- Average new tests per day, June 18 to June 24: 118.0 per 100,000 people (+16.5 from previous week)
- Average positive test ratio, June 18 to June 24: 4.62% (recommended rate: 10%)
- Week with the most new cases: April 16 to April 22 (7.8 new cases per day)
- Week with the most new deaths: April 23 to April 29 (0.4 new deaths per day)
Ohio was the first state to implement school closures as an effort to flatten the curve of coronavirus infections. Its stay-at-home order was lifted on May 29, and retail stores, salons, and barbershops were allowed to reopen in mid-May. Some family venues and entertainment facilities, like the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium, reopened in mid-June.
Oklahoma
- Average new cases per day, June 18 to June 24: 9.5 per 100,000 people (+4.3 from previous week)
- Average new deaths per day, June 18 to June 24: 0.0 per 100,000 people (0.0 from previous week)
- Average new tests per day, June 18 to June 24: 119.8 per 100,000 people (+17.2 from previous week)
- Average positive test ratio, June 18 to June 24: 34.25% (recommended rate: 10%)
- Week with the most new cases: June 18 to June 24 (9.5 new cases per day)
- Week with the most new deaths: April 2 to April 8 (0.2 new deaths per day)
Gov. Kevin Stitt did not declare a stay-at-home order for Oklahoma. After allowing salons, pet groomers, houses of worship, theaters, restaurants, and gyms to open with some limitations in May, the state transitioned into its third reopening phase in early June.
Oregon
- Average new cases per day, June 18 to June 24: 4.3 per 100,000 people (+0.2 from previous week)
- Average new deaths per day, June 18 to June 24: 0.0 per 100,000 people (0.0 from previous week)
- Average new tests per day, June 18 to June 24: 103.8 per 100,000 people (+7.2 from previous week)
- Average positive test ratio, June 18 to June 24: 17.58% (recommended rate: 10%)
- Week with the most new cases: June 18 to June 24 (4.3 new cases per day)
- Week with the most new deaths: April 9 to April 15 (0.1 new deaths per day)
Oregon experienced record-high numbers of new coronavirus cases in mid-June, almost half of which were linked to a church in Union County, according to Aimee Green of OregonLive. The state had been under a stay-at-home order for about seven weeks before it moved into Phase 1 of reopening in mid-May.
Pennsylvania
- Average new cases per day, June 18 to June 24: 3.8 per 100,000 people (+1.1 from previous week)
- Average new deaths per day, June 18 to June 24: 0.2 per 100,000 people (-0.1 from previous week)
- Average new tests per day, June 18 to June 24: 87.8 per 100,000 people (+11.4 from previous week)
- Average positive test ratio, June 18 to June 24: 4.32% (recommended rate: 10%)
- Week with the most new cases: April 2 to April 8 (11.7 new cases per day)
- Week with the most new deaths: April 16 to April 22 (1.1 new deaths per day)
Pennsylvania had a statewide stay-at-home order in effect from April 1 to June 4. The state began reopening in May, and counties began transitioning to the “green” phase of Pennsylvania’s reopening plan, which permits dine-in service at restaurants and casinos to reopen, in late May and early June, according to John Misinco of The Morning Call.
Rhode Island
- Average new cases per day, June 18 to June 24: 5.3 per 100,000 people (-0.9 from previous week)
- Average new deaths per day, June 18 to June 24: 0.5 per 100,000 people (-0.4 from previous week)
- Average new tests per day, June 18 to June 24: 250.4 per 100,000 people (-58.5 from previous week)
- Average positive test ratio, June 18 to June 24: 1.58% (recommended rate: 10%)
- Week with the most new cases: April 23 to April 29 (32.5 new cases per day)
- Week with the most new deaths: April 30 to May 6 (1.6 new deaths per day)
Rhode Island gave retail stores the go-ahead to reopen with limited capacity when the state’s stay-at-home order ended on May 8. The state moved into Phase 2 of its reopening plan on June 1 after it hadn’t seen any major spikes in coronavirus cases, according to NECN.
South Carolina
- Average new cases per day, June 18 to June 24: 21.2 per 100,000 people (+7.3 from previous week)
- Average new deaths per day, June 18 to June 24: 0.2 per 100,000 people (+0.1 from previous week)
- Average new tests per day, June 18 to June 24: 131.0 per 100,000 people (+72.7 from previous week)
- Average positive test ratio, June 18 to June 24: 24.25% (recommended rate: 10%)
- Week with the most new cases: June 18 to June 24 (21.2 new cases per day)
- Week with the most new deaths: April 30 to May 6 (0.3 new deaths per day)
South Carolina was one of the last states in the country to implement a stay-at-home order and one of the first to start reopening on April 20, according to Sarah Mervosh, Jasmine C. Lee, Lazaro Gamio, and Nadja Popovich of The New York Times. A computer analysis from the University of Washington forecasts that South Carolina could experience a major uptick in coronavirus cases this fall, with more than 2,800 COVID-19 deaths expected by Oct. 1, according to Mitchell Willetts of The State.
South Dakota
- Average new cases per day, June 18 to June 24: 6.1 per 100,000 people (-1.3 from previous week)
- Average new deaths per day, June 18 to June 24: 0.1 per 100,000 people (0.0 from previous week)
- Average new tests per day, June 18 to June 24: 100.6 per 100,000 people (-36.6 from previous week)
- Average positive test ratio, June 18 to June 24: 6.52% (recommended rate: 10%)
- Week with the most new cases: May 7 to May 13 (15.8 new cases per day)
- Week with the most new deaths: April 30 to May 6 (0.3 new deaths per day)
South Dakota is one of just a few states that hasn’t ordered businesses to close or implemented any large stay-at-home mandates. Mayors in the state, as well as doctors, have called for more action from Gov. Kristi Noem.
Tennessee
- Average new cases per day, June 18 to June 24: 10.9 per 100,000 people (+2.2 from previous week)
- Average new deaths per day, June 18 to June 24: 0.1 per 100,000 people (0.0 from previous week)
- Average new tests per day, June 18 to June 24: 158.4 per 100,000 people (-90.2 from previous week)
- Average positive test ratio, June 18 to June 24: 7.93% (recommended rate: 10%)
- Week with the most new cases: June 18 to June 24 (10.9 new cases per day)
- Week with the most new deaths: June 11 to June 17 (0.1 new deaths per day)
Gov. Bill Lee ordered businesses to close and people to stay at home in Tennessee in mid-March. Parts of the state began reopening in late April and early May. Some counties pushed into Phase 3 of reopening in mid-June, which allows for 75% capacity at restaurants, gyms, stores, and libraries.
Texas
- Average new cases per day, June 18 to June 24: 15.2 per 100,000 people (+6.7 from previous week)
- Average new deaths per day, June 18 to June 24: 0.1 per 100,000 people (+0.0 from previous week)
- Average new tests per day, June 18 to June 24: 133.5 per 100,000 people (+26.7 from previous week)
- Average positive test ratio, June 18 to June 24: 12.93% (recommended rate: 10%)
- Week with the most new cases: June 18 to June 24 (15.2 new cases per day)
- Week with the most new deaths: May 14 to May 20 (0.1 new deaths per day)
Texas had one of the shortest stay-at-home orders in the country, according to Sarah Mervosh, Jasmine C. Lee, Lazaro Gamio, and Nadja Popovich of The New York Times. It allowed nonessential businesses like movie theaters, malls, restaurants, and stores to reopen at reduced capacity on May 1. On June 16, Texas experienced 2,622 new COVID-19 cases—a record, according to Laurel Wamsley of NPR.
Utah
- Average new cases per day, June 18 to June 24: 16.1 per 100,000 people (+4.5 from previous week)
- Average new deaths per day, June 18 to June 24: 0.1 per 100,000 people (0.0 from previous week)
- Average new tests per day, June 18 to June 24: 122.2 per 100,000 people (-13.5 from previous week)
- Average positive test ratio, June 18 to June 24: 13.71% (recommended rate: 10%)
- Week with the most new cases: June 18 to June 24 (16.1 new cases per day)
- Week with the most new deaths: June 11 to June 17 (0.1 new deaths per day)
Utah paused its reopening plans in mid-June after seeing daily new coronavirus infection rates spike, according to Dan Goldberg, Alice Miranda Ollstein, and Rachel Roubein of Politico. There has been no stay-at-home order in the state, and restaurants, gyms, and other nonessential businesses were allowed to reopen starting on May 1.
Vermont
- Average new cases per day, June 18 to June 24: 1.2 per 100,000 people (+0.4 from previous week)
- Average new deaths per day, June 18 to June 24: 0.0 per 100,000 people (+0.0 from previous week)
- Average new tests per day, June 18 to June 24: 141.7 per 100,000 people (-39.4 from previous week)
- Average positive test ratio, June 18 to June 24: 1.06% (recommended rate: 10%)
- Week with the most new cases: April 2 to April 8 (6.2 new cases per day)
- Week with the most new deaths: April 16 to April 22 (0.2 new deaths per day)
Gov. Phil Scott has extended Vermont’s state of emergency due to the COVID-19 crisis until July 15, according to Colin Meyn of VTDigger. He says that the state of emergency allows the state to help curb new outbreaks and spikes in COVID-19. Vermont allowed childcare centers, restaurants, and other businesses to reopen in late May and early June.
Virginia
- Average new cases per day, June 18 to June 24: 6.3 per 100,000 people (+0.2 from previous week)
- Average new deaths per day, June 18 to June 24: 0.1 per 100,000 people (+0.0 from previous week)
- Average new tests per day, June 18 to June 24: 139.6 per 100,000 people (-23.3 from previous week)
- Average positive test ratio, June 18 to June 24: 4.85% (recommended rate: 10%)
- Week with the most new cases: May 21 to May 27 (12.5 new cases per day)
- Week with the most new deaths: May 7 to May 13 (0.4 new deaths per day)
Northern Virginia launched Phase 2 of its reopening in mid-June, allowing in-restaurant dining, worship services, and workouts at the gym just days after the state’s stay-at-home order officially expired, according to NBC. Gov. Ralph Northam announced on June 16 that he would continue monitoring infection rates before setting a date for Phase 3 of the state’s reopening.
Washington
- Average new cases per day, June 18 to June 24: 2.2 per 100,000 people (-1.7 from previous week)
- Average new deaths per day, June 18 to June 24: 0.1 per 100,000 people (0.0 from previous week)
- Average new tests per day, June 18 to June 24: 46.3 per 100,000 people (-72.7 from previous week)
- Average positive test ratio, June 18 to June 24: 4.58% (recommended rate: 10%)
- Week with the most new cases: March 26 to April 1 (5.0 new cases per day)
- Week with the most new deaths: April 2 to April 8 (0.3 new deaths per day)
After having the country’s first confirmed COVID-19 case, Washington went into a state of emergency in February and implemented a range of other measures, like coronavirus screenings at nursing homes, school closures, and bans on crowded gatherings, to help flatten the curve. The state has been slowly reopening on a county-by-county basis.
Washington D.C.
- Average new cases per day, June 18 to June 24: 5.9 per 100,000 people (-0.6 from previous week)
- Average new deaths per day, June 18 to June 24: 0.4 per 100,000 people (-0.1 from previous week)
- Average new tests per day, June 18 to June 24: 294.0 per 100,000 people (+45.8 from previous week)
- Average positive test ratio, June 18 to June 24: 2.43% (recommended rate: 10%)
- Week with the most new cases: April 30 to May 6 (28.3 new cases per day)
- Week with the most new deaths: April 23 to April 29 (1.6 new deaths per day)
Washington D.C. lifted its stay-at-home order on May 29, earlier than its initial June 8 expiration. Mayor Muriel Bowser was still figuring out what the second phase of its reopening would look like as of June 17. The District moved into Phase 2 on June 22.
West Virginia
- Average new cases per day, June 18 to June 24: 2.0 per 100,000 people (+0.5 from previous week)
- Average new deaths per day, June 18 to June 24: 0.0 per 100,000 people (+0.0 from previous week)
- Average new tests per day, June 18 to June 24: 122.5 per 100,000 people (-60.2 from previous week)
- Average positive test ratio, June 18 to June 24: 1.62% (recommended rate: 10%)
- Week with the most new cases: May 21 to May 27 (2.5 new cases per day)
- Week with the most new deaths: April 16 to April 22 (0.1 new deaths per day)
In addition to implementing a stay-at-home order, West Virginia closed schools, bars, casinos, in-person dining, and other services and businesses in mid-March to help flatten the curve. The state has a 10-week reopening plan, which began on April 30 and is set to conclude on July 5.
Wisconsin
- Average new cases per day, June 18 to June 24: 5.7 per 100,000 people (+1.1 from previous week)
- Average new deaths per day, June 18 to June 24: 0.1 per 100,000 people (+0.0 from previous week)
- Average new tests per day, June 18 to June 24: 164.1 per 100,000 people (-5.2 from previous week)
- Average positive test ratio, June 18 to June 24: 3.60% (recommended rate: 10%)
- Week with the most new cases: May 21 to May 27 (7.5 new cases per day)
- Week with the most new deaths: April 9 to April 15 (0.2 new deaths per day)
Gov. Tony Ever’s mandate for Wisconsinites to stay at home during the pandemic was overturned by the state’s Supreme Court on May 13. Some businesses began reopening shortly after the court order, albeit with extra precautions, like plastic utensils at restaurants, mask mandates for employees, and limitations on capacity, according to Ashley Luthern of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.
Wyoming
- Average new cases per day, June 18 to June 24: 4.1 per 100,000 people (+0.8 from previous week)
- Average new deaths per day, June 18 to June 24: 0.0 per 100,000 people (+0.0 from previous week)
- Average new tests per day, June 18 to June 24: -120.8 per 100,000 people (-224.4 from previous week)
- Average positive test ratio, June 18 to June 24: 30.76% (recommended rate: 10%)
- Week with the most new cases: April 23 to April 29 (5.3 new cases per day)
- Week with the most new deaths: May 28 to June 3 (0.1 new deaths per day)
Wyoming began requiring visitors to self-quarantine for 14 days early on in the pandemic but did not apply a stay-at-home order. The state began gradually reopening in May and allowing schools and indoor events with up to 250 people to resume in mid-June.
