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Rural America in COVID-19 red zone

The rate of COVID-19 in rural Americans is surging. An analysis by the Daily Yonder shows new rural coronavirus infections set a record for the ninth week in a row. Ninety-percent of rural counties are now in the White House Coronavirus Task Force ‘Red Zones.’ Those are counties that average at least 100 new infections per 100-thousand people.

Rural areas continue to experience new cases and deaths at a higher rate than metro counties.

Some states with large rural populations have reversed their policies on COVID-19 prevention measures. Both Iowa and North Dakota, for example, have issued new mask rules.

Rural hospitals are strained from the surge in people with COVID-19 needing hospital care.