The Safest States During COVID-19
The States Faring the Best Against COVID-19
Travel still looks and feels different nearly two years into the COVID-19 pandemic, but the industry’s recovery appears well underway as case numbers drop and more and more destinations ease entry restrictions. Nonetheless, some places are navigating the current coronavirus climate better than others. WalletHub recently compared the 50 states and the District of Columbia across five key metrics of COVID-19 safety, including vaccination rate, positive testing rate, hospitalization rate, death rate and estimated transmission rate as of mid to late February. Here’s a look at the states that fare the best heading into the busy spring break travel period.
20. Utah
A dream destination for outdoor enthusiasts and adventure seekers, Utah ranks as the 20th safest state or district in the U.S. when it comes to COVID-19 right now, earning an overall WalletHub score of 64.23. The state is tied for the fourth-lowest transmission rate nationwide, the personal finance website found.
19. Pennsylvania
In the Northeast, Pennsylvania ranks 19th safest with an overall score just shy of 65. That’s excellent news for travelers looking to relax in any one of the Keystone State’s many peaceful locales.
18. Kansas
Kansas is currently faring far better than most states in its region right now when it comes to neutralizing COVID-19, earning an overall WalletHub score of 65.83.
17. Oklahoma
Kansas’ neighbor to the south, Oklahoma also ranks inside the top 20 with an overall WalletHub score of 67.26. Despite having the third-highest hospitalization rate of any state, Oklahoma is tied for the lowest COVID-19 related death rate.
16. Oregon
Oregon narrowly edges out Oklahoma with an overall WalletHub score of 67.68 as the state eyes the rollout of digital COVID-19 vaccine cards by late March.
15. Illinois
In the Midwest, Illinois ranks third for the lowest positive testing rate for the period that WalletHub examined between February 9 and February 15, 2022. The timing is good news for travelers hoping to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day in festive Chicago.
14. New Jersey
New Jersey is tied with several other states for the highest COVID-19 vaccination rate in the nation, propelling it to 14th overall in WalletHub’s latest safety rankings with a total score of 70.64.
13. New Hampshire
With an overall WalletHub score of 70.92, New Hampshire barely edges out New Jersey. The state’s progress is being felt already though as officials recently stopped recommending that people wear face masks in most indoor spaces.
12. Hawaii
Hawaii’s Safe Travels program appears to be serving its purpose amid the pandemic, based on WalletHub’s latest research. The Aloha State ranks 12th-safest overall with a total score of 73.26.
11. Massachusetts
Massachusetts is tied for the highest COVID-19 vaccination rate in the U.S., ranks second for the lowest positive testing rate in the country and finished third in terms of the lowest hospitalization rate. It all adds up to an 11th-place ranking for overall COVID-19 safety this February.
10. Florida
One of the top spring break destinations for many travelers this year, Florida rounds out the top 10 safest states in America nearly two years into the pandemic. The Sunshine State ranks fourth nationwide in terms of the lowest death rate.
9. Connecticut
New England is well-represented among WalletHub’s top 10. Ninth-ranked Connecticut is tied for the highest vaccination rate in the country and ranks fifth in the U.S. when it comes to the lowest hospitalization rate.
8. Washington
Washington State is tied with Oklahoma for the nation’s lowest COVID-19 related death rate, helping it to an eighth-place overall ranking despite having the second-highest positive test rate in the country, according to WalletHub.
7. California
Another perennial spring break favorite, California doesn’t crack the top five in either of the five key metrics related to COVID-19 safety but earned an overall WalletHub score of 78.16, which is more than twice that of neighboring and 44th-ranked Arizona.
6. Colorado
Similar to California, Colorado doesn’t excel in any one particular rate that WalletHub looked at, but its overall score of 79.08 speaks for itself. Ranking sixth nationwide in terms of COVID-19 safety, the state will likely remain a coveted stop for spring break travelers seeking a last-minute vacation on the slopes.
5. New York
New York is tied for the highest COVID-19 vaccination rate and boasts the country’s fifth-lowest positive testing rate heading into March. The state’s top destination, New York City has been among the strictest in terms of restrictions throughout the pandemic and looks to bounce back in the wake of the Omicron variant.
4. Vermont
Vermont was one of the first states to achieve a relative return to normalcy as residents embraced the COVID-19 vaccine so it’s no surprise to learn that the Northeast destination continues to fare extremely well two years into the pandemic.
3. Maryland
Boasting the nation’s second-lowest hospitalization rate and fourth lowest positive testing rate, Maryland ranks as the third-safest state among the 50 and the District of Columbia right now.
2. Washington, DC
The nation’s capital ranks as the second safest state or district when it comes to COVID-19 this winter. Washington, D.C. is tied for the highest vaccination rate, the lowest positive testing rate and possesses the fifth-lowest death rate in the country.
1. Rhode Island
The safest U.S. state during COVID-19 at this particular moment is also the smallest in Rhode Island. The state is tied for the highest vaccination rate in the country and ranks first in terms of the lowest hospitalization rate in the nation. For perspective, Rhode Island’s overall WalletHub score of 88.13 is more than five times that of 51st-ranked West Virginia.