Since the first death attributable to COVID-19 was reported in the United States on Feb. 29, 2020, an estimated 584,153 Americans have died — and that number continues to grow every day. Over the last seven-day period, an average of 573 Americans diagnosed with COVID-19 have died each day.
Adjusting for population, no state has reported more coronavirus deaths than New Jersey. Since the pandemic began, New Jersey has reported a total of 26,084 deaths — or 293 for every 100,000 people. Per capita deaths attributable to the virus are also high in New York, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Arizona. In each of these places, the death rate stands at at least 245 per 100,000 people.
For context, the national COVID-19 death rate stands at 179 deaths for every 100,000 people.
To date, Hawaii has reported the fewest coronavirus deaths on a per capita basis. There have been an estimated 35 COVID-19 deaths across the state for every 100,000 people since the pandemic began.
Though it is not always the case, states with higher than average COVID-19 deaths per capita are often also home to larger high-risk populations. One such group is retirement-age Americans, who are at least 90 times more likely to die from the virus if infected than those in the 18 to 29 age group. Nationwide, 16.5% of the population fall into that age group.
Though the U.S. has one of the highest per capita COVID-19 death rates in the world, Americans infected with the virus today appear more likely to survive than those who were infected earlier in the pandemic. Medical care providers now have months of experience treating COVID-19, and over that period have established more effective practices in treating the disease. According to one study conducted by researchers at the NYU Grossman School of Medicine released in October, the chances of death among critically ill patients was 18 percentage points lower in August 2020 than it was in March.
And now, inoculations against the coronavirus are underway in the United States, which will inevitably contribute to a reduction in the death rate.
All COVID-19 data used in the story is current as of May 24, 2021.

Alabama
> Total COVID-19 deaths in Alabama: 227 per 100,000 people (total: 11,110)
> Total COVID-19 infections in Alabama: 11,087 per 100,000 people (total: 541,924)
> 65 and older population: 17.4%
> Total population: 4,887,871

Alaska
> Total COVID-19 deaths in Alaska: 49 per 100,000 people (total: 362)
> Total COVID-19 infections in Alaska: 9,100 per 100,000 people (total: 67,107)
> 65 and older population: 12.4%
> Total population: 737,438
These are all the counties in Alaska where COVID-19 is slowing (and where it’s still getting worse).

Arizona
> Total COVID-19 deaths in Arizona: 245 per 100,000 people (total: 17,547)
> Total COVID-19 infections in Arizona: 12,221 per 100,000 people (total: 876,411)
> 65 and older population: 18.0%
> Total population: 7,171,646

Arkansas
> Total COVID-19 deaths in Arkansas: 193 per 100,000 people (total: 5,816)
> Total COVID-19 infections in Arkansas: 11,283 per 100,000 people (total: 340,040)
> 65 and older population: 17.4%
> Total population: 3,013,825

California
> Total COVID-19 deaths in California: 156 per 100,000 people (total: 61,722)
> Total COVID-19 infections in California: 9,282 per 100,000 people (total: 3,671,655)
> 65 and older population: 14.8%
> Total population: 39,557,045

Colorado
> Total COVID-19 deaths in Colorado: 114 per 100,000 people (total: 6,503)
> Total COVID-19 infections in Colorado: 9,428 per 100,000 people (total: 536,969)
> 65 and older population: 14.7%
> Total population: 5,695,564

Connecticut
> Total COVID-19 deaths in Connecticut: 230 per 100,000 people (total: 8,212)
> Total COVID-19 infections in Connecticut: 9,694 per 100,000 people (total: 346,325)
> 65 and older population: 17.6%
> Total population: 3,572,665

Delaware
> Total COVID-19 deaths in Delaware: 172 per 100,000 people (total: 1,659)
> Total COVID-19 infections in Delaware: 11,196 per 100,000 people (total: 108,280)
> 65 and older population: 19.5%
> Total population: 967,171

Florida
> Total COVID-19 deaths in Florida: 171 per 100,000 people (total: 36,463)
> Total COVID-19 infections in Florida: 10,635 per 100,000 people (total: 2,265,139)
> 65 and older population: 20.9%
> Total population: 21,299,325

Georgia
> Total COVID-19 deaths in Georgia: 196 per 100,000 people (total: 20,661)
> Total COVID-19 infections in Georgia: 10,643 per 100,000 people (total: 1,119,614)
> 65 and older population: 14.3%
> Total population: 10,519,475

Hawaii
> Total COVID-19 deaths in Hawaii: 35 per 100,000 people (total: 491)
> Total COVID-19 infections in Hawaii: 2,322 per 100,000 people (total: 32,989)
> 65 and older population: 19.0%
> Total population: 1,420,491
These are all the counties in Hawaii where COVID-19 is slowing (and where it’s still getting worse).

Idaho
> Total COVID-19 deaths in Idaho: 119 per 100,000 people (total: 2,082)
> Total COVID-19 infections in Idaho: 10,896 per 100,000 people (total: 191,147)
> 65 and older population: 16.2%
> Total population: 1,754,208
These are all the counties in Idaho where COVID-19 is slowing (and where it’s still getting worse).

Illinois
> Total COVID-19 deaths in Illinois: 196 per 100,000 people (total: 24,976)
> Total COVID-19 infections in Illinois: 10,788 per 100,000 people (total: 1,374,565)
> 65 and older population: 16.1%
> Total population: 12,741,080

Indiana
> Total COVID-19 deaths in Indiana: 203 per 100,000 people (total: 13,553)
> Total COVID-19 infections in Indiana: 11,053 per 100,000 people (total: 739,626)
> 65 and older population: 16.1%
> Total population: 6,691,878

Iowa
> Total COVID-19 deaths in Iowa: 191 per 100,000 people (total: 6,035)
> Total COVID-19 infections in Iowa: 11,740 per 100,000 people (total: 370,517)
> 65 and older population: 17.5%
> Total population: 3,156,145
These are all the counties in Iowa where COVID-19 is slowing (and where it’s still getting worse).

Kansas
> Total COVID-19 deaths in Kansas: 174 per 100,000 people (total: 5,057)
> Total COVID-19 infections in Kansas: 10,750 per 100,000 people (total: 312,997)
> 65 and older population: 16.4%
> Total population: 2,911,510
These are all the counties in Kansas where COVID-19 is slowing (and where it’s still getting worse).

Kentucky
> Total COVID-19 deaths in Kentucky: 150 per 100,000 people (total: 6,705)
> Total COVID-19 infections in Kentucky: 10,195 per 100,000 people (total: 455,575)
> 65 and older population: 16.9%
> Total population: 4,468,402

Louisiana
> Total COVID-19 deaths in Louisiana: 226 per 100,000 people (total: 10,522)
> Total COVID-19 infections in Louisiana: 10,039 per 100,000 people (total: 467,815)
> 65 and older population: 16.0%
> Total population: 4,659,978

Maine
> Total COVID-19 deaths in Maine: 61 per 100,000 people (total: 820)
> Total COVID-19 infections in Maine: 5,004 per 100,000 people (total: 66,979)
> 65 and older population: 21.3%
> Total population: 1,338,404
These are all the counties in Maine where COVID-19 is slowing (and where it’s still getting worse).

Maryland
> Total COVID-19 deaths in Maryland: 149 per 100,000 people (total: 9,007)
> Total COVID-19 infections in Maryland: 7,584 per 100,000 people (total: 458,292)
> 65 and older population: 15.9%
> Total population: 6,042,718

Massachusetts
> Total COVID-19 deaths in Massachusetts: 258 per 100,000 people (total: 17,818)
> Total COVID-19 infections in Massachusetts: 10,211 per 100,000 people (total: 704,796)
> 65 and older population: 17.0%
> Total population: 6,902,149

Michigan
> Total COVID-19 deaths in Michigan: 201 per 100,000 people (total: 20,140)
> Total COVID-19 infections in Michigan: 9,868 per 100,000 people (total: 986,435)
> 65 and older population: 17.7%
> Total population: 9,995,915

Minnesota
> Total COVID-19 deaths in Minnesota: 133 per 100,000 people (total: 7,456)
> Total COVID-19 infections in Minnesota: 10,663 per 100,000 people (total: 598,327)
> 65 and older population: 16.3%
> Total population: 5,611,179

Mississippi
> Total COVID-19 deaths in Mississippi: 244 per 100,000 people (total: 7,279)
> Total COVID-19 infections in Mississippi: 10,590 per 100,000 people (total: 316,272)
> 65 and older population: 16.4%
> Total population: 2,986,530

Missouri
> Total COVID-19 deaths in Missouri: 147 per 100,000 people (total: 9,006)
> Total COVID-19 infections in Missouri: 9,733 per 100,000 people (total: 596,262)
> 65 and older population: 17.2%
> Total population: 6,126,452

Montana
> Total COVID-19 deaths in Montana: 151 per 100,000 people (total: 1,603)
> Total COVID-19 infections in Montana: 10,465 per 100,000 people (total: 111,168)
> 65 and older population: 19.5%
> Total population: 1,062,305

Nebraska
> Total COVID-19 deaths in Nebraska: 117 per 100,000 people (total: 2,248)
> Total COVID-19 infections in Nebraska: 11,553 per 100,000 people (total: 222,884)
> 65 and older population: 16.1%
> Total population: 1,929,268

Nevada
> Total COVID-19 deaths in Nevada: 183 per 100,000 people (total: 5,552)
> Total COVID-19 infections in Nevada: 10,623 per 100,000 people (total: 322,352)
> 65 and older population: 16.2%
> Total population: 3,034,392
These are all the counties in Nevada where COVID-19 is slowing (and where it’s still getting worse).

New Hampshire
> Total COVID-19 deaths in New Hampshire: 99 per 100,000 people (total: 1,344)
> Total COVID-19 infections in New Hampshire: 7,243 per 100,000 people (total: 98,244)
> 65 and older population: 18.6%
> Total population: 1,356,458

New Jersey
> Total COVID-19 deaths in New Jersey: 293 per 100,000 people (total: 26,084)
> Total COVID-19 infections in New Jersey: 11,380 per 100,000 people (total: 1,013,787)
> 65 and older population: 16.6%
> Total population: 8,908,520

New Mexico
> Total COVID-19 deaths in New Mexico: 197 per 100,000 people (total: 4,131)
> Total COVID-19 infections in New Mexico: 9,634 per 100,000 people (total: 201,868)
> 65 and older population: 18.0%
> Total population: 2,095,428

New York
> Total COVID-19 deaths in New York: 270 per 100,000 people (total: 52,816)
> Total COVID-19 infections in New York: 10,708 per 100,000 people (total: 2,092,534)
> 65 and older population: 16.9%
> Total population: 19,542,209

North Carolina
> Total COVID-19 deaths in North Carolina: 125 per 100,000 people (total: 12,958)
> Total COVID-19 infections in North Carolina: 9,590 per 100,000 people (total: 995,754)
> 65 and older population: 16.7%
> Total population: 10,383,620

North Dakota
> Total COVID-19 deaths in North Dakota: 198 per 100,000 people (total: 1,507)
> Total COVID-19 infections in North Dakota: 14,420 per 100,000 people (total: 109,603)
> 65 and older population: 15.8%
> Total population: 760,077

Ohio
> Total COVID-19 deaths in Ohio: 169 per 100,000 people (total: 19,709)
> Total COVID-19 infections in Ohio: 9,381 per 100,000 people (total: 1,096,617)
> 65 and older population: 17.5%
> Total population: 11,689,442
These are all the counties in Ohio where COVID-19 is slowing (and where it’s still getting worse).

Oklahoma
> Total COVID-19 deaths in Oklahoma: 176 per 100,000 people (total: 6,940)
> Total COVID-19 infections in Oklahoma: 11,468 per 100,000 people (total: 452,207)
> 65 and older population: 16.1%
> Total population: 3,943,079

Oregon
> Total COVID-19 deaths in Oregon: 62 per 100,000 people (total: 2,618)
> Total COVID-19 infections in Oregon: 4,733 per 100,000 people (total: 198,356)
> 65 and older population: 18.2%
> Total population: 4,190,713
These are all the counties in Oregon where COVID-19 is slowing (and where it’s still getting worse).

Pennsylvania
> Total COVID-19 deaths in Pennsylvania: 211 per 100,000 people (total: 27,029)
> Total COVID-19 infections in Pennsylvania: 9,331 per 100,000 people (total: 1,195,013)
> 65 and older population: 18.7%
> Total population: 12,807,060

Rhode Island
> Total COVID-19 deaths in Rhode Island: 256 per 100,000 people (total: 2,704)
> Total COVID-19 infections in Rhode Island: 14,306 per 100,000 people (total: 151,258)
> 65 and older population: 17.7%
> Total population: 1,057,315

South Carolina
> Total COVID-19 deaths in South Carolina: 190 per 100,000 people (total: 9,678)
> Total COVID-19 infections in South Carolina: 11,618 per 100,000 people (total: 590,655)
> 65 and older population: 18.2%
> Total population: 5,084,127

South Dakota
> Total COVID-19 deaths in South Dakota: 227 per 100,000 people (total: 2,001)
> Total COVID-19 infections in South Dakota: 14,045 per 100,000 people (total: 123,911)
> 65 and older population: 17.4%
> Total population: 882,235

Tennessee
> Total COVID-19 deaths in Tennessee: 183 per 100,000 people (total: 12,380)
> Total COVID-19 infections in Tennessee: 12,704 per 100,000 people (total: 860,084)
> 65 and older population: 16.7%
> Total population: 6,770,010

Texas
> Total COVID-19 deaths in Texas: 175 per 100,000 people (total: 50,138)
> Total COVID-19 infections in Texas: 10,213 per 100,000 people (total: 2,931,314)
> 65 and older population: 12.9%
> Total population: 28,701,845
These are all the counties in Texas where COVID-19 is slowing (and where it’s still getting worse).

Utah
> Total COVID-19 deaths in Utah: 72 per 100,000 people (total: 2,290)
> Total COVID-19 infections in Utah: 12,788 per 100,000 people (total: 404,246)
> 65 and older population: 11.4%
> Total population: 3,161,105
These are all the counties in Utah where COVID-19 is slowing (and where it’s still getting worse).

Vermont
> Total COVID-19 deaths in Vermont: 41 per 100,000 people (total: 255)
> Total COVID-19 infections in Vermont: 3,845 per 100,000 people (total: 24,084)
> 65 and older population: 20.1%
> Total population: 626,299

Virginia
> Total COVID-19 deaths in Virginia: 130 per 100,000 people (total: 11,106)
> Total COVID-19 infections in Virginia: 7,902 per 100,000 people (total: 673,029)
> 65 and older population: 15.9%
> Total population: 8,517,685

Washington
> Total COVID-19 deaths in Washington: 76 per 100,000 people (total: 5,702)
> Total COVID-19 infections in Washington: 5,687 per 100,000 people (total: 428,572)
> 65 and older population: 15.9%
> Total population: 7,535,591

Washington D.C.
> Total COVID-19 deaths in Washington D.C.: 164 per 100,000 people (total: 1,125)
> Total COVID-19 infections in Washington D.C.: 7,113 per 100,000 people (total: 48,689)
> 65 and older population: 12.4%
> Total population: 702,455
Click here to see all current COVID-19 data for Washington D.C.

West Virginia
> Total COVID-19 deaths in West Virginia: 154 per 100,000 people (total: 2,772)
> Total COVID-19 infections in West Virginia: 8,846 per 100,000 people (total: 159,735)
> 65 and older population: 20.5%
> Total population: 1,805,832

Wisconsin
> Total COVID-19 deaths in Wisconsin: 133 per 100,000 people (total: 7,748)
> Total COVID-19 infections in Wisconsin: 11,564 per 100,000 people (total: 672,266)
> 65 and older population: 17.5%
> Total population: 5,813,568

Wyoming
> Total COVID-19 deaths in Wyoming: 123 per 100,000 people (total: 713)
> Total COVID-19 infections in Wyoming: 10,326 per 100,000 people (total: 59,660)
> 65 and older population: 17.1%
> Total population: 577,737