Here we look at eight states that reported the highest average daily cases per 100,000 people in the last seven days, according to the latest report Thursday from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Case data below is from Johns Hopkins University (JHU) and the CDC, while the population data is from the U.S. Census Bureau. Average case counts reflect a seven-day average of cases.
Rhode Island
Average daily cases per 100,000 in last 7 days: 125. 6Total confirmed cases: 69,247Total population: 1,059,361
The average case count in Rhode Island hit a record high of 1,540 on Wednesday. The figure has been rising sharply since early October, after declining from late April and flattening out from early June, according to data compiled by JHU.
North Dakota
Average daily cases per 100,000 in last 7 days: 105. 3Total confirmed cases: 86,707Total population: 762,062
The average infection count in North Dakota statistically increased in a recent two-week period from November 26 to December 9. However, the figure has been declining sharply from November 15, when it peaked at 1,408, after rising on a steep incline from late August, according to JHU.
Indiana
Average daily cases per 100,000 in last 7 days: 101. 13Total confirmed cases: 404,935Total population: 6,732,219
The average case tally in Indiana has been rising sharply since late September, after flattening out for most of the outbreak since early April. The figure peaked last week at 6,901 on December 3, according to JHU.
Ohio
Average daily cases per 100,000 in last 7 days: 100. 4Total confirmed cases: 531,850Total population: 11,689,100
The average infection count in Ohio hit a record high on Wednesday at 13,170. The figure has been rising sharply from mid-October, after flattening out for months since late March, according to JHU.
South Dakota
Average daily cases per 100,000 in last 7 days: 94. 2Total confirmed cases: 88,727Total population: 884,659
The average case tally in South Dakota has been declining since early November when it peaked at 1,458 on November 11. The figure remained flat from early April before rising on a sharp incline from late August, according to JHU.
Idaho
Average daily cases per 100,000 in last 7 days: 93. 4Total confirmed cases: 118,028Total population: 1,787,065
The average case count in Idaho reached a record high of 1,638 on December 6. The figure has been rising sharply since early September, after declining from mid-July, according to JHU.
Alaska
Average daily cases per 100,000 in last 7 days: 93. 2Total confirmed cases: 39,345Total population: 731,545
The average case tally in Alaska has been increasing since early June, rising on a steep incline from late September and hitting a peak of 714 on December 5. The figure remained flat from late March to early June, according to JHU.
Minnesota
Average daily cases per 100,000 in last 7 days: 92. 3Total confirmed cases: 367,218Total population: 5,639,632
The average infection count in Minnesota has been decreasing since mid-November. The figure reached a record high of 7,052 on November 17, after rising sharply from late September and flattening out from late April, according to JHU.
The wider picture
The novel coronavirus has infected more than 69.6 million people since it was first reported in Wuhan, China.
More than 1.5 million people have died worldwide and over 44.9 million have recovered as of Friday, according to JHU.
The graphic below, provided by Statista, shows the spread of COVID-19 cases in the U.S.
The graphic below, produced by Statista, shows countries with the most COVID-19 cases.
The graphic below, produced by Statista, compares average COVID-19 case tallies in the U.S. and the European Union.
