New Orleans Has Highest Prevalence of Covid-19

The prevalence of Covid-19 varies greatly by metropolitan area, according to an analysis by Joe Cortright the director of City Observatory, a web site and think tank devoted to urban analysis. Among the 53 metropolitan areas with populations of 1 million or more, the number of reported Covid-19 cases per 100,000 population ranges from a low of 16.4 in Minneapolis-St. Paul to a high of 692.6 in New Orleans. The median among large metro areas is 51 cases per 100,000 population. Here are the 12 metros with the highest Covid-19 prevalence rates as of April 5...

Number of reported Covid-19 cases per 100,000 population, as of April 5, 2020
1. New Orleans: 692.6
2. New York: 441.6
3. Detroit: 297.4
4. Boston: 190.8
5. Indianapolis: 141.1
6. Seattle: 137.6
7. Philadelphia: 126.4
8. Chicago: 116.3
9. Miami: 113.4
10. Buffalo: 104.0
11. Nashville: 101.6
12: Milwaukee: 89.8

Metros with a relatively low prevalence of Covid-19 today should not rest on their laurels. More cases are coming. In just one week, the rate in Indianapolis nearly tripled, climbing from 51.0 on March 29 to the 141.1 of April 5. Miami's rate more than doubled during the week, rising from 46.2 to 113.4.

In Wisconsin, where Milwaukee has the 12th highest rate of Covid-19 among the nation's large metros, the primary election is being held today. Many voters will have to choose between voting in-person or not voting at all. Yesterday, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled against extending the deadline for receipt of Wisconsin's mail-in ballots, which many voters have yet to receive.

Source: City Observatory, Joe Cortright, Covid-19 Prevalence by Metro Area