Which states are taking the virus threat most seriously and taking precautions to limit its spread? Check it out...

10. New Hampshire

Prevention and containment rank: 12
Risk factors and infrastructure rank: 5
Economic impact rank:25

Coronavirus cases (as of Tuesday, March 17): 17

9. Vermont

Prevention and containment rank: 7
Risk factors and infrastructure rank:7
Economic impact rank: 44

Coronavirus cases (as of Tuesday, March 17): 12

8. Minnesota

Prevention and containment rank: 17
Risk factors and infrastructure rank: 1
Economic impact rank: 4

Coronavirus cases (as of Tuesday, March 17): 54

7. New Jersey

Prevention and containment rank: 5
Risk factors and infrastructure rank: 28
Economic impact rank: 24

Coronavirus cases (as of Tuesday, March 17): 178

Advertisement

6. Massachusetts

Prevention and containment rank: 9
Risk factors and infrastructure rank:10
Economic impact rank: 3

Coronavirus cases (as of Tuesday, March 17): 197

5. Washington

Prevention and containment rank: 5
Risk factors and infrastructure rank: 9
Economic impact rank: 14

Coronavirus cases (as of Tuesday, March 17): 909

4. New York

Prevention and containment rank: 4
Risk factors and infrastructure rank: 40
Economic impact rank: 5

Coronavirus cases (as of Tuesday, March 17): 1,374

3. Maryland

Prevention and containment rank: 3
Risk factors and infrastructure rank: 18
Economic impact rank: 2

Coronavirus cases (as of Tuesday, March 17): 57

2. Connecticut

Prevention and containment rank: 2
Risk factors and infrastructure rank: 8
Economic impact rank: 18

Coronavirus cases (as of Tuesday, March 17): 41

Advertisement

1. Rhode Island

Prevention and containment rank: 1
Risk factors and infrastructure rank: 22
Economic impact rank: 43

Coronavirus cases (as of Tuesday, March 17): 21

“Some of the key reasons why Rhode Island is the most aggressive state against the coronavirus include the closure of schools, bars and restaurants in the state. Rhode Island has also restricted travel for state employees and is among the states that administered the most tests for COVID-19 per capita, among other actions,” said WalletHub analyst Jill Gonzalez. “Aggressiveness in combating the coronavirus is not all about recent actions, though. A lot of it is years in the making. For example, Rhode Island has the infrastructure to handle this type of pandemic in large part because of its relatively high funding for public health programs and its high number of healthcare facilities.”

During the initial days of COVID-19 coronavirus outbreak in the United States, many Americans scoffed at warnings and recommended precautions, considering it an overreaction. And while those panic-buying up toilet paper and bottled water may still have their priorities misplaced, there’s growing recognition for the need to take this pandemic seriously and react appropriately.

While our federal government’s reaction continues to be bogged down by partisanship, many states are moving swiftly to crack down on the spread of the virus–some taking more aggressive steps than others.

Related: Trump declares national emergency over coronavirus

Wallethub has taken a look at the actions states have taken, putting together a ranking of most- and least-aggressive in terms of responsiveness. It considered factors such as tested cases per capita and state legislation, containment and prevention measures such as public health laboratories per capita, number of tested individuals, confirmed cases and deaths. Also factored in were state actions such as travel restrictions; social distancing measures such as limits on public gathering sizes, closing schools (as of Monday, 37 states had taken this action), restaurants and other public gathering places; and increasing funding to combat the virus.

“One of the most aggressive actions that states have taken thus far is to institute a curfew for residents. New Jersey, New York and Connecticut have done that so far, but other states are contemplating the move, as well,” said WalletHub analyst Jill Gonzalez. “Another drastic measure has been to call in the national guard, which at least 18 states have done.”

Beyond key actions to limit the spread of the virus, the rankings also considered risk factors such as poverty, infectious disease rate and uninsured rate, as well as economic impact factors such as number of part-time workers and small business owners.

The comprehensive set of criteria illustrates just how widespread the potential impact of the pandemic is and how high the stakes are.

Some of the least-prepared states are those that have historically ranked low in health care access and have high rates of uninsured population, including Nevada, Texas and Missouri.

Hawaii, however, which is well-regarded for its quality of life and health care, is brought down by its reliance on accommodation and food service, arts, entertainment and recreation industries.

So which states are taking the most aggressive actions to weather the storm? Check out the slideshow above.

Read more: