Bismarck, N.D.  (AP) Hospitalizations from COVID-19 have hit their highest points recently throughout the Midwest, where the growth in new cases has been the worst in the nation. Doug Burgum, North Dakota’s Republican governor, acknowledges his state’s numbers are moving in the wrong direction as it hit new highs for active and newly confirmed cases, as well as hospitalizations. But he’s also touting the state’s test positivity staying in the 7% range.

Despite growth in new cases being the worst in the nation, governors in Oklahoma, South Dakota and other states are working to find silver linings in ominous health data. The rhetoric is mirroring President Donald Trump’s downplaying of the virus and it worries public health officials who say the flu season could exacerbate the pandemic’s effects. Most Midwest Republican governors where the virus is worsening have either refused to enact statewide mask restrictions or have been rolling back restrictions.