Rhode Island is seeing the highest average rate of daily COVID-19 cases per 100,000 people in the nation, with higher rates than all other states as well as every major U.S. region, according to state and local health agency data cited by The New York Times.
For the past two weeks, New Hampshire had been reporting the highest case rates per 100,000 residents. On Dec. 14, Wisconsin surpassed New Hampshire, reporting 100 daily virus cases for every 100,000 people, according to the Times. However, on Dec. 15, Rhode Island surpassed New Hampshire and Wisconsin, recording 103 daily cases per 100,000 people.
In comparison, the Midwest is averaging 61 COVID-19 cases per 100,000, the Northeast is seeing 58, the West is reporting an average of 22 and the South is recording 21.
As of Dec. 16, Rhode Island has seen cases rise 82 percent over the last 14 days, according to the Times. In comparison, national cases have increased 40 percent over the same period.
The state is also seeing increasing COVID-19 hospitalizations, with admissions up 65 percent over the last two weeks. The state is averaging 23 COVID-19 hospitalizations per 100,000 people, according to HHS data cited by the Times.