Alaska is nearing the 1,000-case mark and could pass it down the line, but according to the Alaska Department of Health and Social Services, the state currently only has around 900 cases. Much of Alaska’s minimal infection numbers could be tied to its low population of only about 730,000, according to Statista (making it the third-least populated state), and its stay-at-home order during March and April. Cases in the state have started to rise again, however, as Alaska was one of the first states to reopen completely on May 22 at full capacity, per The New York Times. According to Alaska Public Media, the state reached a daily high of 44 new coronavirus cases on June 24. And for states to keep an eye on, These 3 States Are Now in a “Critical” COVID-19 Situation, Researchers Say. Hawaii also has around 900 coronavirus cases currently, per the state health department. According to The New York Times, Hawaii’s daily peak occurred all the way back in early April, with 34 new coronavirus cases on April 1 and 3. And Hawaii’s numbers have stayed pretty consistent amid the country’s recent spike, with numbers only surpassing 20 new cases twice this month, on June 19 and 28. While Hawaii doesn’t have the highest population, the state has about 1,420,000 residents, according to Statista, and still has case numbers lower than states with smaller populations—like Maine, which has a population of 1,340,000 but almost 3,200 coronavirus cases. Instead, Hawaii’s low numbers could be related to its strict coronavirus restrictions, like a 14-day mandatory quarantine beginning on March 26 that is still being imposed on travelers to the state, and mandatory face mask requirements around the state. And for more states with face masks requirements, These 4 States Made Face Masks Mandatory This Week. Montana has the lowest coronavirus count in the country currently, with only a little over 860 coronavirus cases, according to the state health department. However, per The New York Times, Montana’s coronavirus numbers are on the rise. The state reached its daily peak on June 25 with 37 new coronavirus cases—a number that rivals Montana’s statistics in late March and early April, when most states were at a peak.ae0fcc31ae342fd3a1346ebb1f342fcb Seeing as Montana flattened their curve, with cases zeroing out in May, what has caused their new spike? According to the Montana Free Press, much of it can be pinpointed back to the state’s full reopening, which occurred June 1—particularly the lifting of their 14-day quarantine for out-of-state travelers on that day. And for more up-to-date information, sign up for our daily newsletter.
