Washington ranked third in study of most effective states in fight against COVID-19 pandemic

Washington took the third spot in a new study of the states that have been the most effective in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic in 2021.

The study, from Sykes, took into account a number of factors including average test positivity rates, hospital admissions and vaccine distribution to determine which states topped the list of "best COVID-19-fighting states in America" this year.

"Social distancing, mask mandates, and lockdowns are concepts we’ve all become familiar with in the age of COVID-19, though when it came to the United States’ approach to combating the virus, each state developed its own guidelines to keep residents safe," the study said.

"Now that we’ve reached the long-awaited phase of mass vaccination, certain locations have emerged as leaders in the continued fight against the novel coronavirus, while others have fallen behind."

Over the past year, Washington has had a number of restrictions in place, including strict capacity limits on businesses. The state also has had a mask mandate in place and has enforced other safety protocols, such as social distancing. Bans on large gatherings and other events have also been in place. 

Gov. Jay Inslee announced this week the state was preparing to reopen and allow most businesses to move to 100% capacity by the end of June — or earlier if at least 70% of people 16 and older in the state receive at least one dose of the vaccine before that date.  

But, some other states across the country have moved to lift restrictions far earlier than Washington.

"While certain rules, such as a ban on international travel, were created at the federal level, most regulations were implemented per state, and even per county and town," the study said. "This approach meant that as the pandemic progressed, some areas of the country remained in lockdown periods as others returned to in-person schooling, work, and other activities — leading to mixed results."

According to the study, Hawaii took the top spot on the list. It was followed by Maryland.

Here are the other states that took the top five spots in the study:

1. Hawaii

Hawaii took the top spot on the list of states with the most effective response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

2. Maryland

Maryland took the second spot on the list of states with the most effective response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

3. Washington

Washington took the third spot on the list of states with the most effective response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

4. Connecticut

Connecticut took the fourth spot on the list of states with the most effective response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

5. Pennsylvania 

Pennsylvania took the fifth spot on the list of states with the most effective response to the COVID-19 pandemic.