Nearly 1,000 Pennsylvanians have died from COVID-19 since Sept. 1, out of 42,000 fatalities nationally. Pennsylvania's fatality rate per 100,000 residents is 7.8, lower than the national rate of 12.8, and the state ranks 37th nationally. New Jersey's rate of 4.0 ranks 46th. North Dakota has the highest rate, at 43.6 deaths per 100,000 residents.