First, count the new cases among residents

of each town during the past 2 weeks.

Town Population New cases New cases Total New Cases per
9/27-10/3 10/4-10/10 Cases Day
Town A 7,532 6 8 14 1
Town B 99,800 13 15 28 2

Town A: 6 + 8 = 14 new cases

Town B: 13 + 15 = 28 new cases

Weeks are defined as Sunday-Saturday, in accordance with the reporting of many different
diseases around the world (learn more about MMWR weeks).

Each case is counted during the week when they were tested.
Cases among residents of nursing homes, assisted living, and correctional facilities are
excluded.
Next, calculate the average number of
new cases per day.
Town Population New cases New cases Total New Cases per
9/27-10/3 10/4-10/10 Cases Day
Town A 7,532 6 8 14 1
Town B 99,800 13 15 28 2

𝑁𝑢𝑚𝑏𝑒𝑟 𝑜𝑓 𝑛𝑒𝑤 𝑐𝑎𝑠𝑒𝑠
Cases per day =
14 𝑑𝑎𝑦𝑠
14 28
Town A: =   = 1 𝑐𝑎𝑠𝑒 𝑝𝑒𝑟 𝑑𝑎𝑦 Town B:   = 2 𝑐𝑎𝑠𝑒𝑠 𝑝𝑒𝑟 𝑑𝑎𝑦
14 𝑑𝑎𝑦𝑠 14 𝑑𝑎𝑦𝑠
Town B has had more cases and more cases per day compared to Town A in the past two
weeks. However, many more people live in Town B compared to Town A.
Finally, calculate the rate per 100,000
population.
Town Population New cases New cases Total New Cases per Cases Rate
9/27-10/3 10/4-10/10 Cases Day
Town A 7,532 6 8 6+8 = 14 1 13.3
Town B 99,800 13 15 13+15=28 2 2.0

𝐶𝑎𝑠𝑒𝑠 𝑝𝑒𝑟 𝑑𝑎𝑦
Cases per 100,000 population per day = × 100,000
𝑃𝑜𝑝𝑢𝑙𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛
1 2
Town A: × 100,000  = 13.3  Town B: × 100,000  = 2.0
7,532 99,800
Although there were more cases in Town B compared to Town A, Town B also has many
more residents, so they have a lower rate of cases compared to Town A.
Summary: Average Daily Case Rate
(Cases per 100,000 population per day)

1. Count the total number of new cases in past 2 weeks

2. Divide by 14 to find the average number of new cases per day
3. Calculate the rate by dividing by town population and
multiplying by 100,000

Average daily rate =

𝑁𝑢𝑚𝑏𝑒𝑟 𝑜𝑓 𝑛𝑒𝑤 𝑐𝑎𝑠𝑒𝑠/14 𝑑𝑎𝑦𝑠
× 100,000
𝑇𝑜𝑤𝑛 𝑝𝑜𝑝𝑢𝑙𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛