With only 0.62% of the population fully vaccinated against COVID-19 as of January 20, and vaccination being an essential component for full reopening of the economy, PA is the 8th least safe state during the pandemic, writes Adam McCann for WalletHub on the Safest States During COVID-19.

“The level of safety in a state is crucial to its economy because it determines the way businesses are allowed to operate. States will not remove their current COVID-19 restrictions until certain safety benchmarks are met, such as the reduction of the transmission rate to specific levels. Until it is safe enough to remove these restrictions, business will continue to be stunted across the U.S.,” said Jill Gonzalez, WalletHub analyst.

“The best way to help state economies is to get most people in each state vaccinated, which in turn will create a much safer environment and allow businesses to operate at normal capacity and hire in full force,”

In comparison of the 50 states and the District of Columbia across five key metrics, WalletHub’s data set includes rates of COVID-19 transmission, positive testing, hospitalizations and death, as well as the share of the eligible population getting vaccinated.

Pennsylvania’s Safety During Coronavirus (1= Best; 25=Avg.):

• 38^th – Vaccination Rate
• 23^rd – Positive Testing Rate
• 32^nd – Hospitalization Rate
• 49^th – Death Rate

Note: Rankings are based on data available as of 12:30 p.m. ET on Wednesday, January 20, 2021.

To read more about WalletHub’s Safest States report, click here.