The Delta variant is hitting red states hardest as the US’s vaccine divide widens

Arkansas, Mississippi, Missouri, and Wyoming have seen upticks in daily coronavirus cases and hospitalizations.

A protester holds an anti-vaccine sign as supporters of President Donald Trump rally in Woodland Hills, California, on May 16, 2020. Photo: David McNew/Getty Images

By Aria Bendix

The US’s daily coronavirus cases have soared 60% in the last two weeks as the Delta variant strengthens its hold on the country. Delta now accounts for more than half of US cases, making it the dominant strain nationwide.

But the variant isn’t hitting all states equally. Delta cases have risen primarily in states with low vaccination rates, which for the most part are heavily Republican — “red” states like Arkansas, Mississippi, Missouri, and Wyoming. Overall, these states have seen higher upticks in daily cases and hospitalizations than “blue” states that voted Democratic in the 2020 election.

In Missouri, for instance, daily cases have risen around 75% in the last two weeks, from around 800 to 1,400 cases per day. Hospitalizations have also risen 34% during that time, from around 830 to 1,100 per day. Delta has made up nearly 70% of all coronavirus cases there over the last two months, according to data compiled by Scripps Research’s Outbreak.info tracker. Less than half of Missouri residents (around 46%) have received at least one vaccine dose so far — well below the US average of 56%.