The Delta COVID variant is fueling a massive pandemic resurgence as some governments and employers launch new measures to combat it.
These measures, including big cities reinstating mask mandates and employers requiring vaccines, come as more Americans test positive for COVID-19, according to a Fortune analysis of New York Times data. As of Tuesday, Aug. 3, the average number of new daily cases over the past week was 92,005—levels not seen since February, before COVID vaccines were widely available in the U.S.—and up 139% from two weeks ago.
Of any state, Wisconsin has had the biggest surge, with cases there up more than 330%. Meanwhile, South Carolina’s cases are up 291% in the past 14 days. In Rhode Island, Vermont, New Hampshire, Texas, Oregon, Maryland, North Dakota, Tennessee, Georgia, Hawaii, and Puerto Rico, new cases are up more than 200%.
The surging infection is most dangerous where vaccination rates are lower, because the unvaccinated are more likely to become severely ill. The U.S. this week finally hit President Joe Biden’s goal of at least 70% of U.S. adults getting at least one COVID-19 shot—a month after his deadline. But in some states, including Alabama and Louisiana, less than 40% of all residents are fully vaccinated, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
States with the highest percentages of their entire populations vaccinated include Vermont (67.7%) and Massachusetts (64.1%). Meanwhile, the number of shots administered daily has continued to increase, fueled by new mandates and incentives.
14-day increase in the number of new cases
14-day increase in the number of new cases
| State | Increase |
| Alabama | 149.2% |
| Alaska | 115.7% |
| Arizona | 55.7% |
| Arkansas | 68.8% |
| California | 113.1% |
| Colorado | 111.3% |
| Connecticut | 188.5% |
| Delaware | 137.4% |
| District of Columbia | 119.9% |
| Florida | 127.7% |
| Georgia | 215.9% |
| Guam | 316.6% |
| Hawaii | 213.5% |
| Idaho | 96.3% |
| Illinois | 140.3% |
| Indiana | 126.7% |
| Iowa | 157.9% |
| Kansas | 91.3% |
| Kentucky | 174.9% |
| Louisiana | 186% |
| Maine | 87.2% |
| Maryland | 206% |
| Massachusetts | 179.1% |
| Michigan | 165.9% |
| Minnesota | 170.4% |
| Mississippi | 158.9% |
| Missouri | 26% |
| Montana | 183.1% |
| Nebraska | 125.7% |
| Nevada | 36.2% |
| New Hampshire | 236.5% |
| New Jersey | 128.9% |
| New Mexico | 152.6% |
| New York | 161.7% |
| North Carolina | 191.9% |
| North Dakota | 201.2% |
| Ohio | 140.2% |
| Oklahoma | 126.2% |
| Oregon | 240% |
| Pennsylvania | 173% |
| Puerto Rico | 204.5% |
| Rhode Island | 262.9% |
| South Carolina | 291.4% |
| South Dakota | 145.9% |
| Tennessee | 237.8% |
| Texas | 211.9% |
| Utah | 29.3% |
| Vermont | 240.8% |
| Virgin Islands | 67.4% |
| Virginia | 177.1% |
| Washington | 122.8% |
| West Virginia | 187.6% |
| Wisconsin | 331% |
| Wyoming | 78.7% |
Based on 7-day moving average. Source: New York Times
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