Thread by @nytimes

The coronavirus outbreak in the U.S. right now rivals any in the world.

It has been surging since mid-June, and the country’s rate of infection now puts it squarely in the top 10 countries with the worst outbreaks. nyti.ms/32QTX92

Among countries with at least a million people, the U.S. outbreak is 5th-worst in the world. It ranks with countries from the Persian Gulf, where the virus has spread rapidly among foreign laborers, South Africa, Israel and several countries in Latin America.

The current U.S. outbreak is especially stark when compared to other large, high-income countries. All have few cases today compared to the U.S.

Italy and Spain saw some of the worst early outbreaks, before strict control measures brought cases down. nyti.ms/32QTX92

The U.S compares poorly with Sweden too, where cases surged after the government chose to forgo the strict lockdowns of its neighbors.

But Sweden’s cases have recently dropped. nyti.ms/32QTX92

The surge in the U.S. is so extreme that, once adjusted for population, 10 states are recording more new cases than any country in the world. nyti.ms/32QTX92

The coronavirus outbreaks in the U.S. are among the worst in the world regardless of country size and wealth.

You can see how the U.S. compares with other countries, here. nyti.ms/32QTX92