How mortality rates in every state have changed during COVID-19
How mortality rates in every state have changed during COVID-19
As local, state, and national officials continue to grapple with coherent mitigation efforts against the spread of COVID-19, the virus continues to spread. As it does, average mortality rates year-over-year are changing in each state.
To examine how mortality rates across the country have changed during the COVID-19 pandemic, Stacker consulted provisional death counts reported to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) National Vital Statistics System. The CDC reports deaths from all causes during the COVID-19 pandemic and all deaths involving confirmed or presumed COVID-19 cases. Counts in this story are up to date as of Aug. 12 but do not account for the fact that many health experts agree these numbers are almost certainly underreported.
In its data work, the CDC compares the death rate in a region during the COVID-19 pandemic (February to August 2020) to the average death rate in that region over the same period of months during the three previous years (2017 to 2019). This comparison is expressed through a value called "excess deaths": the deaths which occurred from Feb. 1 to Aug. 1, 2020, which are beyond the death toll expected during this time.
This excess deaths metric may be used to estimate the true toll of the pandemic, as many deaths indirectly linked to COVID-19 may not be included in the official count, such as deaths among those who may have contracted COVID-19, but remained undiagnosed, and deaths linked to the disease's strain on our country's health care system and economy. The CDC's database page additionally notes that provisional death counts are not final, and may change as more death records are received and processed; in addition, each state has its own reporting system, and some only update weekly or monthly. The values included in this story are rounded to the nearest 100 to reflect that these are provisional counts.
Keep reading to see how COVID-19 has affected mortality rates around the U.S.
Alabama
- Deaths from all causes Feb. 1 to Aug. 1, 2020: 30,500 (628 per 100,000 people)
- Expected deaths for this time period: 27,800 (572 per 100k people)
- Excess deaths in 2020: 2,700 (10.0% over expected deaths, #22 highest among all states)
- Deaths with confirmed or presumed COVID-19: 2,000 (40 per 100k, #17 highest among all states)
High-risk populations like the elderly are especially vulnerable to COVID-19; in Birmingham, Alabama’s largest city, 22% of the population is older than 65. Alabama currently does not have a statewide mask mandate.
Alaska
- Deaths from all causes Feb. 1 to Aug. 1, 2020: 2,200 (303 per 100,000 people)
- Expected deaths for this time period: 2,300 (314 per 100k people)
- Excess deaths in 2020: No excess deaths
- Deaths with confirmed or presumed COVID-19: 20 (3 per 100k, #51 highest among all states)
Positivity rates of coronavirus cases in Alaska, a state of fewer than 800,000 people, have steadily climbed in recent months. As of Aug. 12, the state had seen just 24 deaths from COVID-19.
Arizona
- Deaths from all causes Feb. 1 to Aug. 1, 2020: 39,500 (569 per 100,000 people)
- Expected deaths for this time period: 33,000 (475 per 100k people)
- Excess deaths in 2020: 6,500 (20.0% over expected deaths, #7 highest among all states)
- Deaths with confirmed or presumed COVID-19: 3,900 (56 per 100k, #14 highest among all states)
With no statewide mask mandate and a rushed reopening that sent COVID-19 cases skyrocketing, Arizona has suffered the fallout of 188,737 cases and 4,199 deaths as of Aug. 11. A full 8% of tests administered the first week of August came back positive. The World Health Organization in May recommended that percent positive rates stay below 5% for two full weeks before governments could safely reopen.
Arkansas
- Deaths from all causes Feb. 1 to Aug. 1, 2020: 17,600 (590 per 100,000 people)
- Expected deaths for this time period: 16,700 (558 per 100k people)
- Excess deaths in 2020: 1,000 (6.0% over expected deaths, #31 highest among all states)
- Deaths with confirmed or presumed COVID-19: 600 (19 per 100k, #34 highest among all states)
The Arkansas Department of Health confirmed that more than 175 Arkansans died in July from COVID-19, up from 137 deaths in June. Johnny Key, Arkansas’ education secretary, announced in August that the state would begin releasing case counts by school district ahead of schools reopening at the end of the month.
California
- Deaths from all causes Feb. 1 to Aug. 1, 2020: 154,800 (395 per 100,000 people)
- Expected deaths for this time period: 141,200 (361 per 100k people)
- Excess deaths in 2020: 13,700 (10.0% over expected deaths, #22 highest among all states)
- Deaths with confirmed or presumed COVID-19: 9,700 (25 per 100k, #30 highest among all states)
An analysis by the Los Angeles Times found that weekly COVID-19 deaths have doubled since spring in what has amounted to a second surge of coronavirus in California. Cases and deaths in this wave hit suburban and rural areas particularly hard—two areas largely spared by the first wave of the virus.
Colorado
- Deaths from all causes Feb. 1 to Aug. 1, 2020: 23,700 (428 per 100,000 people)
- Expected deaths for this time period: 20,900 (379 per 100k people)
- Excess deaths in 2020: 2,700 (13.0% over expected deaths, #18 highest among all states)
- Deaths with confirmed or presumed COVID-19: 1,800 (32 per 100k, #22 highest among all states)
Deaths in Colorado jumped by 22% between March and May of 2020, largely due to COVID-19, according to data analysis from the Denver Post. Death certificates issued in the state show what the Post described as COVID-19’s “indirect toll on human life,” with higher rates of death between March and May from Alzheimer’s disease, chronic liver disease, drug overdoses, and heart disease.
Connecticut
- Deaths from all causes Feb. 1 to Aug. 1, 2020: 19,900 (557 per 100,000 people)
- Expected deaths for this time period: 16,600 (463 per 100k people)
- Excess deaths in 2020: 3,400 (20.0% over expected deaths, #7 highest among all states)
- Deaths with confirmed or presumed COVID-19: 4,800 (135 per 100k, #3 highest among all states)
Positivity rates in Connecticut remained low in mid-August, with tests reported Aug. 12 showing just a less than .3%. The death toll on that day from COVID-19 throughout the state stood at 4,450.
Delaware
- Deaths from all causes Feb. 1 to Aug. 1, 2020: 5,800 (609 per 100,000 people)
- Expected deaths for this time period: 4,900 (511 per 100k people)
- Excess deaths in 2020: 900 (19.0% over expected deaths, #11 highest among all states)
- Deaths with confirmed or presumed COVID-19: 600 (60 per 100k, #12 highest among all states)
As of Aug. 13 Delaware had no set date for transitioning into Phase 3 of reopening. Case counts have been on the decline in the state with government officials continuing to show caution in order to prevent a spike.
Florida
- Deaths from all causes Feb. 1 to Aug. 1, 2020: 121,900 (592 per 100,000 people)
- Expected deaths for this time period: 111,200 (540 per 100k people)
- Excess deaths in 2020: 10,700 (10.0% over expected deaths, #22 highest among all states)
- Deaths with confirmed or presumed COVID-19: 7,200 (35 per 100k, #19 highest among all states)
Florida’s health department on Aug. 11 reported 276 deaths from COVID-19, setting a new daily death toll record that surpassed the state’s July 31st recording of 257 deaths. At the time, Florida had the second-highest number of coronavirus cases nationwide among states, with 542,790.
Two Florida teenagers in August died from the virus, bringing the number of minors there who have died from COVID-19 to seven as of Aug. 10.
Georgia
- Deaths from all causes Feb. 1 to Aug. 1, 2020: 50,000 (485 per 100,000 people)
- Expected deaths for this time period: 45,000 (437 per 100k people)
- Excess deaths in 2020: 5,000 (11.0% over expected deaths, #19 highest among all states)
- Deaths with confirmed or presumed COVID-19: 3,500 (34 per 100k, #20 highest among all states)
Georgia on Aug. 11 and 12 reported 122 and 105 deaths from COVID-19, respectively, with the death toll on the 11th setting a new daily record for the state. A 7-year-old boy in Georgia without underlying conditions died in the first week of August from COVID-19, representing the state's youngest coronavirus victim.
Hawaii
- Deaths from all causes Feb. 1 to Aug. 1, 2020: 6,100 (432 per 100,000 people)
- Expected deaths for this time period: 6,200 (439 per 100k people)
- Excess deaths in 2020: No excess deaths
- Deaths with confirmed or presumed COVID-19: 30 (2 per 100k, #52 highest among all states)
Hawaii set a statewide record Aug. 13 with 355 new COVID-19 cases. That same day the death toll reached 40. In a press conference about the new numbers, Gov. David Ige said Hawaii may undergo another stay-at-home order to bring case counts down.
Idaho
- Deaths from all causes Feb. 1 to Aug. 1, 2020: 7,800 (464 per 100,000 people)
- Expected deaths for this time period: 7,600 (451 per 100k people)
- Excess deaths in 2020: 200 (3.0% over expected deaths, #43 highest among all states)
- Deaths with confirmed or presumed COVID-19: 200 (13 per 100k, #44 highest among all states)
Idaho as of Aug. 17 had 269 COVID-19-related deaths, with the highest death toll in Ada County. The state government has taken a regional approach to flattening the curve; the state is officially in Stage 4 of reopening.
Illinois
- Deaths from all causes Feb. 1 to Aug. 1, 2020: 65,200 (509 per 100,000 people)
- Expected deaths for this time period: 54,600 (426 per 100k people)
- Excess deaths in 2020: 10,600 (19.0% over expected deaths, #11 highest among all states)
- Deaths with confirmed or presumed COVID-19: 7,000 (55 per 100k, #15 highest among all states)
As Illinois’ death toll from COVID-19 approached 8,000 in the first half of June, Gov. J.B. Pritzker on Aug. 12 said $46 million in grants would be distributed by the state to 2,655 small businesses hurt by the coronavirus pandemic. That same day, the state reached 198,593 cases of COVID-19.
Indiana
- Deaths from all causes Feb. 1 to Aug. 1, 2020: 38,400 (578 per 100,000 people)
- Expected deaths for this time period: 34,500 (519 per 100k people)
- Excess deaths in 2020: 3,900 (11.0% over expected deaths, #19 highest among all states)
- Deaths with confirmed or presumed COVID-19: 3,000 (45 per 100k, #16 highest among all states)
Indiana’s seven-day positivity rate between Aug. 10 and 16 was at 8%, with 2,924 COVID-19 deaths since the start of the pandemic. Aug. 15 marked the fourth day in one week with more than 1,000 new COVID-19 cases.
Iowa
- Deaths from all causes Feb. 1 to Aug. 1, 2020: 16,700 (532 per 100,000 people)
- Expected deaths for this time period: 15,800 (503 per 100k people)
- Excess deaths in 2020: 900 (6.0% over expected deaths, #31 highest among all states)
- Deaths with confirmed or presumed COVID-19: 900 (30 per 100k, #26 highest among all states)
Iowa's COVID-19 positivity rate has averaged 9.4% since rates have been tracked there. On Aug. 16, the one-day positivity rate was at 11.8%. Seventy-seven percent of the more than 52,000 Iowans who tested positive for COVID-19 had recovered as of Aug. 17.
Kansas
- Deaths from all causes Feb. 1 to Aug. 1, 2020: 14,400 (493 per 100,000 people)
- Expected deaths for this time period: 13,900 (476 per 100k people)
- Excess deaths in 2020: 500 (4.0% over expected deaths, #38 highest among all states)
- Deaths with confirmed or presumed COVID-19: 400 (14 per 100k, #43 highest among all states)
Kansas was up to 405 COVID-19-related deaths as of Aug. 17. Lyon County Public Health Emergency Preparedness Director Jennifer Millbern told local affiliate KVOE that, despite an Axio/Ipsos poll showing 31% of Americans felt COVID-19 numbers were falsified, Kansas is ensuring the COVID-19 death toll reporting is accurate. To do so, certifying physicians and coroners determine whether a death was directly caused by COVID-19 before it is listed as such. Tangentially reported cases where COVID-19 was not the direct cause of death are not included in the tallies.
Kentucky
- Deaths from all causes Feb. 1 to Aug. 1, 2020: 26,400 (595 per 100,000 people)
- Expected deaths for this time period: 25,200 (567 per 100k people)
- Excess deaths in 2020: 1,200 (5.0% over expected deaths, #34 highest among all states)
- Deaths with confirmed or presumed COVID-19: 800 (18 per 100k, #37 highest among all states)
Kentucky’s COVID-19 report from Aug. 16 indicated the week prior represented the highest seven-day totals for cases in the state. Gov. Andy Beshear said in a news release that Kentucky’s positivity rate—5.45%—represented a slight decrease. Thirteen of the 390 new COVID-19 cases reported on the 16th were from children who are 5 years old or younger.
Louisiana
- Deaths from all causes Feb. 1 to Aug. 1, 2020: 29,300 (628 per 100,000 people)
- Expected deaths for this time period: 24,000 (514 per 100k people)
- Excess deaths in 2020: 5,300 (22.0% over expected deaths, #6 highest among all states)
- Deaths with confirmed or presumed COVID-19: 3,800 (81 per 100k, #8 highest among all states)
Louisiana has seen a rapid decline in case counts and positivity rates that correlate with the issuance of a statewide mask order on July 13. The statewide death toll from COVID-19 as of Aug. 17 stood at 4,403.
Maine
- Deaths from all causes Feb. 1 to Aug. 1, 2020: 7,900 (592 per 100,000 people)
- Expected deaths for this time period: 7,800 (582 per 100k people)
- Excess deaths in 2020: 100 (2.0% over expected deaths, #46 highest among all states)
- Deaths with confirmed or presumed COVID-19: 100 (11 per 100k, #46 highest among all states)
Maine’s death toll from COVID-19 has remained low relative to other states, with Cumberland County (home to Portland) home to the most cases at 2,130 as of Aug. 17. Gov. Janet Mills extended the Maine’s State of Civil Emergency status to Sept. 3; on July 29, she raised the cap on outdoor gatherings to 100.
Maryland
- Deaths from all causes Feb. 1 to Aug. 1, 2020: 31,400 (523 per 100,000 people)
- Expected deaths for this time period: 26,200 (437 per 100k people)
- Excess deaths in 2020: 5,200 (20.0% over expected deaths, #7 highest among all states)
- Deaths with confirmed or presumed COVID-19: 3,900 (64 per 100k, #9 highest among all states)
Maryland on Aug. 16 officially passed the 100,000 mark for COVID-19 cases throughout the state since March. It is one of 15 states to have more than 3,500 residents to have died from COVID-19. Numbers are expected to climb as labs go through the process of confirming causes of death for people who have recently died.
Massachusetts
- Deaths from all causes Feb. 1 to Aug. 1, 2020: 39,000 (570 per 100,000 people)
- Expected deaths for this time period: 31,000 (453 per 100k people)
- Excess deaths in 2020: 8,000 (26.0% over expected deaths, #5 highest among all states)
- Deaths with confirmed or presumed COVID-19: 7,900 (116 per 100k, #4 highest among all states)
Despite 699 new cases of COVID-19 over the weekend of Aug. 15 and 16 in Massachusetts, the positivity rate in the state reached 1.4%, its lowest since positivity rates were tracked there. The transmission rate of COVID-19 in Massachusetts stood at the second-lowest in the country as of Aug. 17, attributed to stricter restrictions and increased mitigation efforts enacted in early August.
Michigan
- Deaths from all causes Feb. 1 to Aug. 1, 2020: 60,900 (612 per 100,000 people)
- Expected deaths for this time period: 50,800 (510 per 100k people)
- Excess deaths in 2020: 10,100 (20.0% over expected deaths, #7 highest among all states)
- Deaths with confirmed or presumed COVID-19: 6,000 (60 per 100k, #11 highest among all states)
Michigan’s positivity rate of COVID-19 testing has hovered around 3.53% since May. The fatality rates for those who test positive in Michigan stood at 6.8% as of mid-August.
Minnesota
- Deaths from all causes Feb. 1 to Aug. 1, 2020: 25,300 (457 per 100,000 people)
- Expected deaths for this time period: 23,500 (425 per 100k people)
- Excess deaths in 2020: 1,800 (8.0% over expected deaths, #28 highest among all states)
- Deaths with confirmed or presumed COVID-19: 1,600 (30 per 100k, #25 highest among all states)
Gov. Tim Walz on July 25 enacted a statewide mask mandate in Minnesota that analysts say to coincide with a drop in COVID-19 cases, although direct correlations are impossible across any state because of the high number of variables in human behaviors. The state urged additional caution to residents ahead of Labor Day weekend.
Mississippi
- Deaths from all causes Feb. 1 to Aug. 1, 2020: 19,500 (652 per 100,000 people)
- Expected deaths for this time period: 16,600 (557 per 100k people)
- Excess deaths in 2020: 2,800 (17.0% over expected deaths, #13 highest among all states)
- Deaths with confirmed or presumed COVID-19: 1,700 (58 per 100k, #13 highest among all states)
Ranked the U.S.’s unhealthiest state in 2019, Mississippi has struggled with high caseloads as COVID-19 affects residents with underlying health conditions. The state reported 11 deaths on Aug. 17, representing the lowest number in several weeks—a fact that inspired Mississippi’s State Health Officer Dr. Thomas Dobbs to tweet optimistically of mask-wearing and social distancing: "It's working!"
Missouri
- Deaths from all causes Feb. 1 to Aug. 1, 2020: 35,700 (586 per 100,000 people)
- Expected deaths for this time period: 33,900 (557 per 100k people)
- Excess deaths in 2020: 1,700 (5.0% over expected deaths, #34 highest among all states)
- Deaths with confirmed or presumed COVID-19: 1,300 (21 per 100k, #32 highest among all states)
Three residents at a Missouri nursing home where 39 people tested positive died Aug. 17, illustrating the pervasive and ongoing issue of nursing home outbreaks and death tolls during the COVID-19 pandemic. The same day, Missouri recorded 26 COVID-19 deaths, the highest number reported in several weeks there.
Montana
- Deaths from all causes Feb. 1 to Aug. 1, 2020: 5,500 (530 per 100,000 people)
- Expected deaths for this time period: 5,400 (519 per 100k people)
- Excess deaths in 2020: 100 (2.0% over expected deaths, #46 highest among all states)
- Deaths with confirmed or presumed COVID-19: 100 (5 per 100k, #49 highest among all states)
Montana’s Gov. Steve Bullock on July 15 enacted a new statewide face mask rule for any counties with more than four active COVID-19 cases. On Aug. 17, the governor said the state was fiscally stable as it continued to confront the pandemic. The Democrat rejected calls by the Republican Legislature for budget cuts, saying, “We find no reason to make cuts now to essential services, especially as they are more essential than ever as we face this pandemic and the correlating economic challenges.”
Nebraska
- Deaths from all causes Feb. 1 to Aug. 1, 2020: 9,200 (485 per 100,000 people)
- Expected deaths for this time period: 8,900 (466 per 100k people)
- Excess deaths in 2020: 400 (4.0% over expected deaths, #38 highest among all states)
- Deaths with confirmed or presumed COVID-19: 300 (18 per 100k, #38 highest among all states)
While speaking Aug. 17 in Lincoln, Nebraska, Dr. Deborah Birx of the White House Coronavirus Task Force said an essential part of containing the spread of COVID-19 in the state is to tamp down on spread among asymptomatic people. She highlighted the necessity for everyone to wear masks and stay socially distant even if they feel healthy. She added that the sharp rise in COVID-19 cases in Omaha appears to have leveled out—a sign the work there to flatten the curve has begun to work.
Nevada
- Deaths from all causes Feb. 1 to Aug. 1, 2020: 14,900 (510 per 100,000 people)
- Expected deaths for this time period: 13,900 (477 per 100k people)
- Excess deaths in 2020: 1,000 (7.0% over expected deaths, #30 highest among all states)
- Deaths with confirmed or presumed COVID-19: 900 (29 per 100k, #27 highest among all states)
COVID-19 hospitalizations in Nevada by mid-August had dipped significantly compared to July and early August numbers, but the state’s positivity rate rose to 11.23% by Aug. 17 after dropping from12.2% in late April to 5.2% in June. Fatalities on that date dipped well below the daily average, from 15 to 3.
New Hampshire
- Deaths from all causes Feb. 1 to Aug. 1, 2020: 7,100 (525 per 100,000 people)
- Expected deaths for this time period: 6,500 (480 per 100k people)
- Excess deaths in 2020: 600 (9.0% over expected deaths, #26 highest among all states)
- Deaths with confirmed or presumed COVID-19: 400 (30 per 100k, #24 highest among all states)
At least 345 deaths COVID-19 deaths in New Hampshire since the start of the pandemic have occurred in nursing homes. Overall, the state has managed to keep case counts and deaths under control—facts the state’s health commissioner, Lori Shibinette, attributed in part to maintaining 100% contact tracing.
New Jersey
- Deaths from all causes Feb. 1 to Aug. 1, 2020: 56,300 (633 per 100,000 people)
- Expected deaths for this time period: 38,600 (435 per 100k people)
- Excess deaths in 2020: 17,600 (46.0% over expected deaths, #2 highest among all states)
- Deaths with confirmed or presumed COVID-19: 14,100 (159 per 100k, #2 highest among all states)
New Jersey had a slight uptick in its positivity rate Aug. 17 at 1.03%, up from .99% the day prior. A positivity rate above 1% indicates that everyone who has COVID-19 is spreading the virus on average to one or more people. Aug. 17 also marked the 17th day in a row in the state that there were less than 15 deaths.
New Mexico
- Deaths from all causes Feb. 1 to Aug. 1, 2020: 11,000 (527 per 100,000 people)
- Expected deaths for this time period: 10,000 (480 per 100k people)
- Excess deaths in 2020: 1,000 (10.0% over expected deaths, #22 highest among all states)
- Deaths with confirmed or presumed COVID-19: 700 (33 per 100k, #21 highest among all states)
COVID-19 is devastating New Mexico’s Native American population. They are dying of COVID-19 at a rate 19 times higher than all other populations combined. While they account for 11% of the state’s population, they make up 57% of cases.
New York
New York State (minus NYC): - Deaths from all causes Feb. 1 to Aug. 1, 2020: 66,200 (590 per 100,000 people)
- Expected deaths for this time period: 52,000 (464 per 100k people)
- Excess deaths in 2020: 14,100 (27.0% over expected deaths, #4 highest among all states)
- Deaths with confirmed or presumed COVID-19: 11,500 (102 per 100k, #6 highest among all states) New York City: - Deaths from all causes Feb. 1 to Aug. 1, 2020: 55,200 (657 per 100,000 people)
- Expected deaths for this time period: 28,000 (334 per 100k people)
- Excess deaths in 2020: 27,100 (97.0% over expected deaths, #1 highest among all states)
- Deaths with confirmed or presumed COVID-19: 20,800 (248 per 100k, #1 highest among all states)
While New York City has drastically improved since it was an epicenter of America’s coronavirus outbreak in the spring, the state still ranks the highest out of any state when it comes to deaths, with 32,399 as of Aug. 14 and a grim new report suggesting New York significantly undercounted deaths in nursing homes.
North Carolina
- Deaths from all causes Feb. 1 to Aug. 1, 2020: 43,700 (430 per 100,000 people)
- Expected deaths for this time period: 49,100 (483 per 100k people)
- Excess deaths in 2020: No excess deaths
- Deaths with confirmed or presumed COVID-19: 1,500 (15 per 100k, #42 highest among all states)
After rising hospitalizations and deaths were attributed to outbreaks in prisons, nursing homes, and meat-packing plants, South Carolina is experiencing a slight decline into August. The 36 new coronavirus deaths, reported Aug. 13, brought the state’s total death toll to 2,332.
North Dakota
- Deaths from all causes Feb. 1 to Aug. 1, 2020: 4,000 (528 per 100,000 people)
- Expected deaths for this time period: 3,800 (507 per 100k people)
- Excess deaths in 2020: 200 (4.0% over expected deaths, #38 highest among all states)
- Deaths with confirmed or presumed COVID-19: 100 (18 per 100k, #36 highest among all states)
The CDC is in early stages of establishing a model for COVID-19 vaccination distribution, with North Dakota and three other states selected to participate in building the model. North Dakota’s involvement is crucial for public health officials to learn how best to distribute vaccines to Native American populations on reservations, whose residents have among the highest death rates from COVID-19.
Ohio
- Deaths from all causes Feb. 1 to Aug. 1, 2020: 69,300 (595 per 100,000 people)
- Expected deaths for this time period: 64,400 (553 per 100k people)
- Excess deaths in 2020: 4,900 (8.0% over expected deaths, #28 highest among all states)
- Deaths with confirmed or presumed COVID-19: 3,200 (27 per 100k, #29 highest among all states)
Cases, hospitalizations, and deaths have increased in Ohio in the second week of August. Ohio's death count is at 3,755 as of Aug. 14.
Oklahoma
- Deaths from all causes Feb. 1 to Aug. 1, 2020: 21,200 (540 per 100,000 people)
- Expected deaths for this time period: 20,700 (529 per 100k people)
- Excess deaths in 2020: 400 (2.0% over expected deaths, #46 highest among all states)
- Deaths with confirmed or presumed COVID-19: 600 (15 per 100k, #41 highest among all states)
A surge in cases in Tulsa resulted from President Trump’s rally in the city, where most attendees did not wear masks. The rally was attended by Herman Cain, who eventually died of COVID-19, one of the most prominent politicians to die of the disease.
Oregon
- Deaths from all causes Feb. 1 to Aug. 1, 2020: 19,900 (488 per 100,000 people)
- Expected deaths for this time period: 19,200 (471 per 100k people)
- Excess deaths in 2020: 700 (4.0% over expected deaths, #38 highest among all states)
- Deaths with confirmed or presumed COVID-19: 300 (8 per 100k, #48 highest among all states)
On Aug. 13 Oregon’s case count officially surpassed 200,000; between July 26 and Aug. 1, 31 Oregonians died of COVID-19, making it the state’s deadliest week since the pandemic began.
Pennsylvania
- Deaths from all causes Feb. 1 to Aug. 1, 2020: 81,000 (633 per 100,000 people)
- Expected deaths for this time period: 69,500 (543 per 100k people)
- Excess deaths in 2020: 11,500 (17.0% over expected deaths, #13 highest among all states)
- Deaths with confirmed or presumed COVID-19: 8,000 (63 per 100k, #10 highest among all states)
As the economic fallout of the pandemic continues, Pennsylvania announced a task force to help marginalized populations in the state who have been disproportionately impacted by COVID-19. The task force’s report of needs goes beyond medical ones, and includes urgent issues like housing, food security, assisting minority-owned businesses, and improving remote learning and access to technology.
Rhode Island
- Deaths from all causes Feb. 1 to Aug. 1, 2020: 6,100 (576 per 100,000 people)
- Expected deaths for this time period: 5,600 (527 per 100k people)
- Excess deaths in 2020: 500 (9.0% over expected deaths, #26 highest among all states)
- Deaths with confirmed or presumed COVID-19: 1,000 (95 per 100k, #7 highest among all states)
Rhode Island, as is the case elsewhere, is seeing the number of COVID-19 infections shift from the elderly to the young. Nursing home rates are down, while Rhode Islanders 20 and younger are accounting for an increasing number of infections, due to congregating and summer camps remaining open.
South Carolina
- Deaths from all causes Feb. 1 to Aug. 1, 2020: 30,100 (607 per 100,000 people)
- Expected deaths for this time period: 26,400 (532 per 100k people)
- Excess deaths in 2020: 3,700 (14.0% over expected deaths, #16 highest among all states)
- Deaths with confirmed or presumed COVID-19: 1,800 (37 per 100k, #18 highest among all states)
South Carolina has struggled with its ability to test residents, ranking last place in the U.S. for testing in May. It has since improved that ranking, but as of Aug. 14 tests results are coming back a week after patients are tested, greatly reducing the usefulness of testing in the first place.
South Dakota
- Deaths from all causes Feb. 1 to Aug. 1, 2020: 4,500 (517 per 100,000 people)
- Expected deaths for this time period: 4,300 (500 per 100k people)
- Excess deaths in 2020: 100 (3.0% over expected deaths, #43 highest among all states)
- Deaths with confirmed or presumed COVID-19: 200 (19 per 100k, #35 highest among all states)
An annual motorcycle rally in Sturgis, South Dakota made headlines when tens of thousands of people descended on the small down, making it one of the largest gatherings in the U.S. since the coronavirus struck. Most attendees did not wear masks or attempt to social distance, leading health officials to worry it will be a super-spreader event, resulting in infections and deaths.
Tennessee
- Deaths from all causes Feb. 1 to Aug. 1, 2020: 41,700 (627 per 100,000 people)
- Expected deaths for this time period: 39,700 (596 per 100k people)
- Excess deaths in 2020: 2,100 (5.0% over expected deaths, #34 highest among all states)
- Deaths with confirmed or presumed COVID-19: 1,100 (17 per 100k, #39 highest among all states)
The majority of Tennessee’s public school system returned to in-person learning in early August. But several districts quickly closed after staff and students tested positive for the coronavirus, resulting in hundreds of students and teachers told to quarantine.
Texas
- Deaths from all causes Feb. 1 to Aug. 1, 2020: 122,400 (439 per 100,000 people)
- Expected deaths for this time period: 107,800 (386 per 100k people)
- Excess deaths in 2020: 14,700 (14.0% over expected deaths, #16 highest among all states)
- Deaths with confirmed or presumed COVID-19: 8,900 (32 per 100k, #23 highest among all states)
Texas had one of the shortest stay-at-home orders in the country, resulting in a huge surge of cases in June after the state reopened. Gov. Greg Abbot reversed course in July, encouraging Texans to stay home, but stopping short of closing non-essential businesses. On Aug. 12, 324 people died from COVID-19, setting a single-day record for the state.
Utah
- Deaths from all causes Feb. 1 to Aug. 1, 2020: 10,800 (355 per 100,000 people)
- Expected deaths for this time period: 10,300 (337 per 100k people)
- Excess deaths in 2020: 500 (5.0% over expected deaths, #34 highest among all states)
- Deaths with confirmed or presumed COVID-19: 300 (11 per 100k, #45 highest among all states)
After a surge of cases in July, coronavirus infections are decreasing in Utah. The state does not have a mask requirement, though some counties have instituted their own requirement.
Vermont
- Deaths from all causes Feb. 1 to Aug. 1, 2020: 3,300 (535 per 100,000 people)
- Expected deaths for this time period: 2,900 (466 per 100k people)
- Excess deaths in 2020: 400 (15.0% over expected deaths, #15 highest among all states)
- Deaths with confirmed or presumed COVID-19: 100 (10 per 100k, #47 highest among all states)
Vermont's infection rate is among the lowest in the country. As of Aug. 13, 58 people have died of COVID-19 in Vermont.
Virginia
- Deaths from all causes Feb. 1 to Aug. 1, 2020: 40,400 (480 per 100,000 people)
- Expected deaths for this time period: 36,500 (434 per 100k people)
- Excess deaths in 2020: 3,900 (11.0% over expected deaths, #19 highest among all states)
- Deaths with confirmed or presumed COVID-19: 2,400 (28 per 100k, #28 highest among all states)
Virginia is in “phase three” of reopening the state, with gatherings limited to 250 people, limited indoor restaurant seating, and an indoor mask requirement. Virginia instituted a statewide mask mandate on May 26, requiring residents 10 an over to wear face coverings in certain public places.
Washington
- Deaths from all causes Feb. 1 to Aug. 1, 2020: 31,800 (437 per 100,000 people)
- Expected deaths for this time period: 30,600 (420 per 100k people)
- Excess deaths in 2020: 1,200 (4.0% over expected deaths, #38 highest among all states)
- Deaths with confirmed or presumed COVID-19: 1,500 (21 per 100k, #33 highest among all states)
In January and February, COVID-19 quietly infected many in Washington before the extent of the virus’s penetration into the U.S. was known. The historical infection rate is likely much higher than official numbers tally. Reflecting the pandemic’s disproportionate effect on historically marginalized populations in the U.S., Washington state’s Black and American Indian or Alaska Native communities are experiencing hospitalization rates about three times higher than their white counterparts.
Washington D.C.
- Deaths from all causes Feb. 1 to Aug. 1, 2020: 4,100 (602 per 100,000 people)
- Expected deaths for this time period: 3,000 (441 per 100k people)
- Excess deaths in 2020: 1,100 (36.0% over expected deaths, #3 highest among all states)
- Deaths with confirmed or presumed COVID-19: 700 (104 per 100k, #5 highest among all states)
Washington D.C. is experiencing a plateau in new cases after they spiked earlier this summer. But younger demographics are accounting for an increased share of new cases in D.C. and surrounding Virginia, likely due to young adults flocking to beaches.
West Virginia
- Deaths from all causes Feb. 1 to Aug. 1, 2020: 10,800 (588 per 100,000 people)
- Expected deaths for this time period: 11,900 (651 per 100k people)
- Excess deaths in 2020: No excess deaths
- Deaths with confirmed or presumed COVID-19: 400 (21 per 100k, #31 highest among all states)
West Virginia’s Department of Health & Human Resources confirmed 8,008 total cases and 153 deaths as of Aug. 12. As schools move to reopen with hybrid and remote learning, West Virginia’s governor announced that as part of the state’s plan to improve virtual schooling, $6 million will go toward the creation of 1,000 internet access points across the state.
Wisconsin
- Deaths from all causes Feb. 1 to Aug. 1, 2020: 29,700 (515 per 100,000 people)
- Expected deaths for this time period: 28,200 (487 per 100k people)
- Excess deaths in 2020: 1,600 (6.0% over expected deaths, #31 highest among all states)
- Deaths with confirmed or presumed COVID-19: 1,000 (17 per 100k, #40 highest among all states)
Infection rates have been steadily ticking upward in Wisconsin. People of color are disproportionately impacted: Black people make up 7% of the state's population but account for 15% of cases and 23% of deaths. Latinos, similarly, are 7% of the population and account for 25% of cases and 12% of deaths, according to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. As COVID-19 cases continue to cluster in urban areas like Milwaukee and Green Bay, several of Wisconsin's rural areas are now experiencing surging case loads.
Wyoming
- Deaths from all causes Feb. 1 to Aug. 1, 2020: 2,600 (445 per 100,000 people)
- Expected deaths for this time period: 2,500 (431 per 100k people)
- Excess deaths in 2020: 100 (3.0% over expected deaths, #43 highest among all states)
- Deaths with confirmed or presumed COVID-19: 30 (5 per 100k, #50 highest among all states)
With its low population density and sparsely distributed population, Wyoming is faring better than many other states. There were 3,073 cases and 29 deaths attributed to COVID-19 as of Aug. 12, according to a New York Times database. While Wyoming’s Department of Health only encourages masks worn in public, students will be required to wear face coverings when attending school in situations where distancing isn’t possible.
