There are many ways to measure a state’s COVID outbreak, but these are the three key metrics: the number of new daily cases per 100,000 residents; the positive test rate, which is the percent of COVID tests done in each state that yield a positive result (a metric Anthony Fauci, MD, has called a “good predictor of a surge”); and the infection rate, which indicates the number of people each positive patient will infect. Looking at the daily number of new COVID cases from Harvard Global Health Institute (HGHI), the positive test rate according to Johns Hopkins University and Medicine, and the infection rate according to Rt.live, the following 11 states are having the worst outbreaks in the U.S. right now. In fact, according to the HGHI, they’ve reached the critical tipping point of having 25 new cases per day per capita, which puts them at the red risk level. And, the Harvard research team explains, “once a community reaches the red risk level, stay-at-home orders become necessary again.” Read on to learn more, and if you’re concerned about the most prominent figure with COVID, check out The 4 COVID Symptoms President Trump and the First Lady Reportedly Have. Daily new cases per 100,000 residents: 25.0 Infection rate: 0.94 Positive test rate: 12.6 percent And for more on what the nation’s leading immunologist says to expect in the weeks ahead, find out why Dr. Fauci Just Said This Is a “Bad Sign” for COVID. Daily new cases per 100,000 residents: 25.2 Infection rate: 1.06 Positive test rate: 12.8 percent Daily new cases per 100,000 residents: 25.9ae0fcc31ae342fd3a1346ebb1f342fcb Infection rate: 1.00 Positive test rate: 7.9 percent And if you’ve noticed something strange going on with your nose lately, know that There’s an 80 Percent Chance You Have COVID If You Have This Symptom. Daily new cases per 100,000 residents: 26.6 Infection rate: 1.14 Positive test rate: 22.3 percent Daily new cases per 100,000 residents: 27.8 Infection rate: 1.02 Positive test rate: 4.6 percent And for another state that could be facing a surge, Dr. Fauci Says This One State Is “Asking for Trouble.” Daily new cases per 100,000 residents: 28.4 percent Infection rate: 1.09 Positive test rate: 17.8 percent Daily new cases per 100,000 residents: 30.2 Infection rate: 1.18 Positive test rate: 8.4 percent Want more regular updates on the latest with COVID? Get them delivered straight to your inbox by signing up for our daily newsletter. Daily new cases per 100,000 residents: 30.8 Infection rate: 1.06 Positive test rate: 13.2 percent Daily new cases per 100,000 residents: 42.7 Infection rate: 1.14 Positive test rate: 22.2 percent Daily new cases per 100,000 residents: 49.2 Infection rate: 1.09 Positive test rate: 24.1 percent Daily new cases per 100,000 residents: 60.7 Infection rate: 1.03 Positive test rate: 7.2 percent
