When people think of coronavirus hotspots around the world they may point to India, Brazil, France or Spain. These countries do have high infection and death rates.
Coronavirus Hotspots in the US:
However, two states in the US are now near the top when it comes to grim death rate statistics. Data from North Dakota suggest a mortality rate of 18.2 deaths per million people. South Dakota is close behind with 17.4 deaths per million.
The two-week positivity rate in North Dakota is about 16 percent, which is alarmingly high. That means out of all the coronavirus tests administered in the last two weeks, 16 percent turned out positive.
Other states in the upper midwest are also suffering. Wyoming, Iowa, Nebraska and Wisconsin are all reporting extremely high rates of infection. Other coronavirus hotspots include Minnesota, Montana, Utah and Kansas.
Some governors of states like Oregon and New Mexico and mayors of cities such as Chicago and St. Louis are struggling to keep their places from becoming coronavirus hotspots. Stay-at-home orders and limits on gatherings could help slow the spread of infection if it keeps people from gathering for big Thanksgiving celebrations.
