With one week to go before Christmas, virtually every U.S. is at risk.
Harvard Global Health Institute / Brown School of Public Health
It is the season with great care if you plan to travel for Christmas.
Public health experts had warned that Thanksgiving would be a very extensive event, but millions of Americans traveled during the holiday weekend. Now, a week before Christmas, only one continental U.S. state falls outside the “high risk” category.
Still, approximately 84.5 million Americans are expected to travel from Dec. 23 to Jan. 3, according to an AAA report. Although about 34 million passengers fell compared to last year, public health experts recommend not traveling at this time.
“CDC continues to recommend postponing travel and staying home, as this is the best way to protect yourself and others this year,” according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s recent winter vacation guide. Diseases.
The country has never had a greater risk due to the pandemic. For the second day in a row, the United States set records for new cases and hospitalizations yesterday, according to the Covid Tracking Project.
Below is a state-by-state summary of the most risky states to visit a week before Christmas, along with an overview of current Covid-19 protocols.
1) Tennessee
Risk factors: No statewide mask warrant: 128.3 new cases daily per 100,000 people; 18.1% of Covid tests are positive
As Tennessee climbs to the top of the national lists for daily Covid-19 cases, top doctors are begging Governor Bill Lee to ask for masks across the state. Tennessee currently recommends, but does not require face masks or physical distances in public. Several counties, including those containing Nashville, Memphis, Knoxville and Chattanooga, have enacted local mask mandates.
The volunteer state has registered 128.3 new cases of Covid-19 per 100,000 people, on average weekly, according to the risk assessment tool of the Harvard Global Health Institute and the Brown School of Public Health. Any state with more than 25 new daily cases per 100,000 people has a red color on the map, meaning it is considered “at a turning point.” Tennessee’s risk level is 413% above that threshold.
Tennessee’s positive percentage rate is 18.1%, according to data from Johns Hopkins University. Ideally, the positive percentage should be less than 5%, according to the World Health Organization. Positivity in Tennessee has risen for the past two consecutive weeks.
2) Rhode Island
Risk factors: State mask mandate: 110.4 new daily cases per 100,000 people; 7.2% of Covid tests are positive
Tiny Rhode Island is currently the northeast hot spot. Earlier this month, Gov. Gina Raimondo expanded restrictions on businesses, including closing bars and gyms and reducing restaurant capacity to 33 percent. Facial masks have been required in Rhode Island since May.
Currently, the nation’s smallest state accumulates an average of 110.4 new daily cases of Covid-19 per 100,000 people. This is 342% above the “turning point” threshold.
Rhode Island’s positive percentage is 7.2%. Positivity has increased over the last two consecutive weeks.
3) Arizona
Risk factors: No statewide mask warrant: 91.5 new daily cases per 100,000 people; 14.5% of Covid tests are positive
While his state is once again an important point for the spread of Covid-19, and despite growing pressure from public health officials, Gov. Doug Ducey has refused to issue a state mask warrant. Several Arizona cities and counties have full mask orders, including counties that are home to Phoenix, Scottsdale, Tempe and Tucson.
Last week, Arizona recorded an average of 91.5 new daily cases of Covid-19 per 100,000 people. This is 266% above the “turning point” threshold.
The positive percentage of the state is 14.5%, almost three times higher than what is considered safe. Positivity has increased over the last two consecutive weeks.
4) Indiana
Risk factors: State mask mandate: 90.2 new cases daily per 100,000 people; 12.4% of Covid tests are positive
Last week, Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb said his state was “on fire” with coronavirus, as the number of high-risk counties had doubled since the previous week. Holcomb recently extended a state mask mandate and tightened restrictions on people’s size.
Indiana is currently registering an average of 90.2 new daily cases of Covid-19 per 100,000 people, which is 261% above the “turning point” threshold.
Indiana’s positive percentage rate is currently at 12.4%, more than double the target. Positivity has increased over the last two consecutive weeks.
5) California
Risk factors: Mandate of masks across the state: 87.9 new daily cases per 100,000 people; 12.8% of Covid tests are positive
California breaks records in both new cases and hospitalizations. The state has activated its “mass death” program, which coordinates mutual aid between various government agencies. In particular, if the availability of the intensive care unit falls below 15 percent in a given region, a three-week home stay order is triggered. Governor Gavin Newsom’s masked term has been in effect since June 18th.
California is currently registering an average of 87.9 new daily cases of Covid-19 per 100,000 people, which is 252% above the “turning point” threshold.
The positive percentage rate in the state is currently at 12.8%. Positivity has increased over the last two consecutive weeks.
6) Pennsylvania
Risk factors: Mandate of masks across the state: 83.1 new cases daily per 100,000 people; 40.0% of Covid tests are positive
Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf has issued Covid-related restrictions with effect until Jan. 4, which includes a ban on eating cutlery at restaurants and bars and closing gyms and fitness centers. The state has had a universal mask mandate since the summer.
Last week, Pennsylvania recorded an average of 83.1 new daily cases of Covid-19 per 100,000 people, more than 232% above the “turning point” threshold.
Pennsylvania’s positive percentage is 40%, eight times what is considered safe. Positivity has increased over the last two consecutive weeks.
7) Utah
Risk factors: State mask mandate: 82.8 new cases per 100,000 people per day; 18.1% of Covid tests are positive
The good news: The number of new daily Covid cases in Utah has dropped 18 percent since last month, when Gov. Gary Herbert imposed an emergency declaration that includes a state mask requirement. People should wear a face that is covered in public and as long as they are within six feet of someone from a separate home.
Last week, Utah recorded an average of 82.8 new daily cases of Covid-19 per 100,000 people. The bad news: it’s still 231% above the “turning point” threshold.
The positive percentage rate in the state is 18.1%, which is more than three times higher than what is considered safe. Positivity has increased over the last two consecutive weeks.
8) Delaware
Risk factors: State Mask Mandate: 81.2 new cases daily per 100,000 people; 8.9% of Covid tests are positive
Delaware Gov. John Carney’s declaration of a state of emergency forces him to cover his face in all public settings and in private indoor meetings where there are people from other households, regardless of their ability to maintain physical distance .
Last week, Delaware recorded an average of 81.2 new daily cases of Covid-19 per 100,000 people, 225% above the “turning point” threshold.
The positive percentage rate in the state is 8.9%, almost double what is considered safe. Positivity has increased over the last two consecutive weeks.
9) Oklahoma
Risk factors: No statewide mask warrant: 80.5 new daily cases per 100,000 people; 20.8% of Covid tests are positive
Despite hiring the same Covid-19 last summer, Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt recommends masks in public, but has turned down requests for a state mandate. Some cities, including Tulsa, have adopted mask requirements.
Oklahoma currently accumulates an average of 80.5 new daily cases of Covid-19 per 100,000 people. The number of new daily cases is 222% above the “turning point” threshold.
Wyoming’s positive percentage rate is a whopping 20.8%, four times the 5% target. Positivity has increased over the last two consecutive weeks.
10) Nevada
Risk factors: Mandate of masks across the state: 79.3 new cases daily per 100,000 people; 15.9% of Covid tests are positive
Nevada Gov. Steve Sisolak has extended meeting restrictions and limited capacity in bars and restaurants until Jan. 15 in an attempt to curb the spread of COVID-19. Since June, a mandatory statewide face-to-face coverage policy has been established.
Last week, Nevada recorded an average of 79.3 new daily cases of Covid-19 per 100,000 people, 217% more than the “turning point” threshold.
Nevada’s positive percentage is 15.9%, more than triple what is considered safe. Positivity has increased over the last two consecutive weeks.
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