Since the first case of the omicron variant was detected in the U.S., new daily cases of COVID-19 have hit new highs. To date, 81,519,474 Americans are confirmed to have been infected with the virus — and over 1 million have died as a result. On a per capita basis, the U.S. has one of the highest known infections rates in the world.
In the Durham-Chapel Hill metropolitan area, located in North Carolina, a total of 125,841 COVID-19 cases have been reported to date. Adjusted for population, there have been 22,532 reported infections for every 100,000 people in the area — below the national rate of 24,917 cases per 100,000 people.
The lower than average per capita COVID-19 infection rate across Durham-Chapel Hill is being driven by one area in particular.
The broader Durham metro area comprises four counties or county equivalents — and of them, Chatham County in North Carolina has the fewest COVID-19 cases per capita. So far, there have been a total of 13,262 confirmed infections in Chatham County, or 19,002 for every 100,000 people.
Though Chatham County has the lowest per capita infection rate in the Durham metro area, its per capita fatality rate is disproportionately high.
There have been a total of 163 coronavirus-related deaths for every 100,000 people in Chatham County, above the 124 COVID-19 deaths per 100,000 across the entire Durham-Chapel Hill metro area.
All COVID-19 data used in this story are current as of May 16, 2022.
| Rank | Geography | COVID cases per 100,000 people | Total cases | Deaths per 100,000 people | Total deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Chatham County, NC | 19,002 | 13,262 | 163 | 114 |
| 2 | Orange County, NC | 19,735 | 28,209 | 94 | 134 |
| 3 | Person County, NC | 24,040 | 9,449 | 277 | 109 |
| 4 | Durham County, NC | 24,447 | 74,921 | 110 | 338 |
Essential Tips for Investing: Sponsored
A financial advisor can help you understand the advantages and disadvantages of investment properties. Finding a qualified financial advisor doesn’t have to be hard. SmartAsset’s free tool matches you with up to three financial advisors who serve your area, and you can interview your advisor matches at no cost to decide which one is right for you. If you’re ready to find an advisor who can help you achieve your financial goals, get started now.
Investing in real estate can diversify your portfolio. But expanding your horizons may add additional costs. If you’re an investor looking to minimize expenses, consider checking out online brokerages. They often offer low investment fees, helping you maximize your profit.
Thank you for reading! Have some feedback for us?
Contact the 24/7 Wall St. editorial team.
Editors' Picks
