increase font size Nearly half of new U.S. virus infections are in just 5 states The concentration of infections is putting pressure on the federal government to consider changing how it distributes vaccines by sending more doses to hot spots. By RUSS BYNUM and MICHELLE R. SMITHAssociated Press Share People spend lunch hour in Union Square in New York last month. Nearly half of new coronavirus infections nationwide are in just five states, including New York. Mary Altaffer/Associated Press Nearly half of new coronavirus infections nationwide are in just five states – a situation that is putting pressure on the federal government to consider changing how it distributes vaccines by sending more doses to hot spots.