North Carolina Ranked Among Safest States During COVID-19: Report

NORTH CAROLINA — COVID-19 is still a serious concern nationwide causing school closures, overwhelming hospitals and making thousands of people sick. Throughout the past two years, data analysts have been combing through numbers and comparing the different state responses.

In an effort to shed light on which states have been safest during the pandemic, Wallethub compared all 50 based on five metrics. The data included rate of transmission, positive testing, hospitalizations, death and the rate of vaccination.

North Carolina ranked 12th on Wallethub's list, receiving a 56.75 score on their metrics measuring safety. Hawaii took the top spot with a score of 80, and Oklahoma took last place with a score of 16.5.

North Carolina scored high partly because more than 70 percent of those eligible have been vaccinated. Per Wallethub's data, that makes the state the 16th highest vaccinated state nationwide.

Vaccinations are key to safety, according to medical experts including Dr. Daniel Rodriguez, professor of Urban Public Health and Nutrition at La Salle University.

"We should promote vaccination but in a careful manner. Too many people oppose vaccination. We need to find better ways to get through to those who oppose vaccination. Work-related mandates seem to work, as people are forced to comply or lose their jobs. We must do whatever it takes to get through to vaccine opponents," said Dr. Rodriguez.

1. Oklahoma

2. Indiana

3. Ohio

4. Tennessee

5. Missouri

6. West Virginia

7. Mississippi

8. Arizona

9. Louisiana

10. Kentucky