COVID-19

There were almost as many reported cases in October as in July. The difference was that October’s cases often occurred in less densely populated places.

In October, the US recorded 1.86 million new cases of COVID-19, 2.4% below the monthly high of 1.9 million in July.

In July, counties with higher population densities reported higher case rates; in October, less dense counties had the highest case rates. Counties with more than 1,000 residents per square mile — home to 35.1% of the population — had an average case rate of 610 cases per 100,000 people during July. The average monthly case rate in these areas in October was 445 cases per 100,000 people, down 27.1% from July.

In counties where the population density is less than 125 people per square mile — home to about 21.7% of the population — the case rate increased 47.7% from an average of 525 cases per 100,000 in July to 775 cases per 100,000 in October.

As a result, some of the least dense states continued to lead the nation in new cases reported. North Dakota and South Dakota, which led the nation in case rates in September, also led in October. The case rates in those states more than doubled. North Dakota’s cases increased from 1,316 per 100,000 in September to 2,896 per 100,000 in October. South Dakota’s increased from 1,004 to 2,668 per 100,000.

Only four states reported fewer new cases in October than in September: Hawaii, Louisiana, Georgia, and South Carolina.

There were 23,090 coronavirus-related deaths in October, slightly higher than the 23,031 in September. Five states accounted for 32.7% of October deaths: Florida, Texas, California, Illinois, and Georgia. Wisconsin had the highest increase in monthly deaths, with 705 COVID-19 deaths in October compared with 205 in September.

Learn more about COVID-19 here.