Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

Counties with highest COVID-19 infection rates in Kentucky

The vaccine deployment in December 2020 signaled a turning point in the COVID-19 pandemic. By the end of May 2021, 40% of the U.S. population was fully vaccinated. But as vaccination rates lagged over the summer, new surges of COVID-19 came, including Delta in the summer of 2021, and now the Omicron variant, which comprises the majority of cases in the U.S.

Researchers around the world have reported that Omicron is more transmissible than Delta, making breakthrough and repeat infections more likely.

The United States as of Apr. 14 reached 987,801 COVID-19-related deaths and 80.5 million COVID-19 cases, according to Johns Hopkins University. Currently, 65.8% of the population is fully vaccinated, and 45.3% of vaccinated people have received booster doses.

Stacker compiled a list of the counties with highest COVID-19 infection rates in Kentucky using data from the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services and vaccination data from Covid Act Now. Counties are ranked by the highest infection rate per 100,000 residents within the week leading up to Apr. 13, 2022. Cumulative cases per 100,000 served as a tiebreaker.

Keep reading to see whether your county ranks among the highest COVID-19 infection rates in your state.

Bfreas // Wikimedia Commons

#50. Simpson County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 0 (0 new cases, -100% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 30,212 (5,611 total cases)
— 2.2% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 319 (89 total deaths)
— 6.5% less deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 50.5% (9,372 fully vaccinated)

Paul Sableman // Wikimedia Commons

#49. Graves County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 0 (0 new cases, -100% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 30,422 (11,337 total cases)
— 2.9% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 179 (176 total deaths)
— 47.5% less deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 45.5% (16,955 fully vaccinated)

Joel Bradshaw // Wikimedia Commons

#48. Ohio County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 0 (0 new cases, -100% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 30,433 (7,302 total cases)
— 3.0% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 190 (100 total deaths)
— 44.3% less deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 39.7% (9,523 fully vaccinated)

w.marsh // Wikimedia Commons

#47. Henderson County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 0 (0 new cases, -100% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 30,551 (13,812 total cases)
— 3.4% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 123 (159 total deaths)
— 63.9% less deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 50.9% (23,021 fully vaccinated)

Farragutful // Wikimedia Commons

#46. Daviess County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 0 (0 new cases, -100% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 30,566 (31,028 total cases)
— 3.4% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 137 (381 total deaths)
— 59.8% less deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 54.2% (54,978 fully vaccinated)

W.marsh // Wikimedia Commons

#45. Adair County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 0 (0 new cases, -100% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 30,716 (5,898 total cases)
— 3.9% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 150 (103 total deaths)
— 56.0% less deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 39.3% (7,543 fully vaccinated)

Huw Williams (Huwmanbeing) // Wikimedia Commons

#44. Grayson County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 0 (0 new cases, -100% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 30,730 (8,121 total cases)
— 4.0% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 223 (126 total deaths)
— 34.6% less deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 51.3% (13,544 fully vaccinated)

Bedford // Wikimedia Commons

#43. Logan County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 0 (0 new cases, -100% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 30,773 (8,340 total cases)
— 4.1% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 308 (123 total deaths)
— 9.7% less deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 50.8% (13,778 fully vaccinated)

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#42. Allen County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 0 (0 new cases, 0% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 30,856 (6,577 total cases)
— 4.4% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 157 (97 total deaths)
— 54.0% less deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 39.6% (8,438 fully vaccinated)

Chris Light // Wikimedia Commons

#41. Nelson County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 0 (0 new cases, -100% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 31,177 (14,414 total cases)
— 5.5% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 280 (149 total deaths)
— 17.9% less deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 52.2% (24,138 fully vaccinated)

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#40. Elliott County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 0 (0 new cases, 0% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 31,861 (2,395 total cases)
— 7.8% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 194 (18 total deaths)
— 43.1% less deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 35.6% (2,676 fully vaccinated)

W.marsh // Wikimedia Commons

#39. Jackson County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 0 (0 new cases, -100% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 32,058 (4,273 total cases)
— 8.5% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 212 (77 total deaths)
— 37.8% less deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 36.6% (4,880 fully vaccinated)

CoryClaxon // Wikimedia Commons

#38. Carter County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 0 (0 new cases, -100% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 32,112 (8,605 total cases)
— 8.6% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 154 (105 total deaths)
— 54.8% less deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 49.2% (13,171 fully vaccinated)

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#37. Magoffin County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 0 (0 new cases, -100% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 32,177 (3,913 total cases)
— 8.9% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 372 (48 total deaths)
— 9.1% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 51.1% (6,216 fully vaccinated)

OPMaster // Wikimedia Commons

#36. Warren County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 0 (0 new cases, -100% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 32,257 (42,868 total cases)
— 9.1% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 255 (361 total deaths)
— 25.2% less deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 38.6% (51,297 fully vaccinated)

C. Bedford Crenshaw // Wikimedia Commons

#35. Caldwell County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 0 (0 new cases, -100% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 32,353 (4,124 total cases)
— 9.5% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 275 (59 total deaths)
— 19.4% less deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 52.2% (6,656 fully vaccinated)

W.marsh // Wikimedia Commons

#34. Laurel County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 0 (0 new cases, -100% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 32,412 (19,711 total cases)
— 9.7% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 428 (220 total deaths)
— 25.5% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 40.5% (24,620 fully vaccinated)

Brian Stansberry // Wikimedia Commons

#33. Washington County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 0 (0 new cases, 0% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 32,418 (3,921 total cases)
— 9.7% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 378 (59 total deaths)
— 10.9% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 50.9% (6,161 fully vaccinated)

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#32. Pike County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 0 (0 new cases, -100% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 32,654 (18,899 total cases)
— 10.5% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 325 (290 total deaths)
— 4.7% less deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 52.8% (30,538 fully vaccinated)

Smceuen // Wikimedia Commons

#31. Carroll County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 0 (0 new cases, -100% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 32,857 (3,493 total cases)
— 11.2% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 465 (44 total deaths)
— 36.4% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 46.6% (4,951 fully vaccinated)

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#30. Letcher County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 0 (0 new cases, -100% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 32,905 (7,092 total cases)
— 11.3% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 445 (105 total deaths)
— 30.5% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 53.1% (11,441 fully vaccinated)

Megangen1990 // Wikimedia Commons

#29. Muhlenberg County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 0 (0 new cases, -100% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 33,110 (10,139 total cases)
— 12.0% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 247 (120 total deaths)
— 27.6% less deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 51.0% (15,618 fully vaccinated)

Kybluegrass // Wikimedia Commons

#28. McCreary County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 0 (0 new cases, -100% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 33,144 (5,711 total cases)
— 12.1% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 653 (75 total deaths)
— 91.5% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 39.1% (6,742 fully vaccinated)

Wdzinc // Wikimedia Commons

#27. Marion County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 0 (0 new cases, -100% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 33,202 (6,399 total cases)
— 12.3% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 308 (82 total deaths)
— 9.7% less deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 50.4% (9,714 fully vaccinated)

Brian Stansberry // Wikimedia Commons

#26. Harrison County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 0 (0 new cases, -100% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 33,231 (6,276 total cases)
— 12.4% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 284 (69 total deaths)
— 16.7% less deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 50.0% (9,450 fully vaccinated)

Jim.henderson // Wikimedia Commons

#25. Hopkins County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 0 (0 new cases, -100% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 33,371 (14,912 total cases)
— 12.9% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 258 (249 total deaths)
— 24.3% less deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 51.6% (23,075 fully vaccinated)

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#24. Mercer County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 0 (0 new cases, -100% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 33,447 (7,336 total cases)
— 13.2% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 355 (103 total deaths)
— 4.1% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 54.4% (11,934 fully vaccinated)

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#23. Cumberland County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 0 (0 new cases, -100% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 33,701 (2,229 total cases)
— 14.0% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 228 (31 total deaths)
— 33.1% less deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 44.6% (2,948 fully vaccinated)

Brian Stansberry // Wikimedia Commons

#22. Monroe County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 0 (0 new cases, 0% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 33,953 (3,616 total cases)
— 14.9% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 312 (76 total deaths)
— 8.5% less deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 46.1% (4,913 fully vaccinated)

C. Bedford Crenshaw // Wikimedia Commons

#21. Lewis County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 0 (0 new cases, -100% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 33,974 (4,510 total cases)
— 14.9% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 487 (84 total deaths)
— 42.8% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 39.1% (5,184 fully vaccinated)

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#20. Bell County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 0 (0 new cases, -100% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 33,997 (8,850 total cases)
— 15.0% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 331 (143 total deaths)
— 2.9% less deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 45.8% (11,911 fully vaccinated)

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#19. Green County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 0 (0 new cases, -100% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 34,165 (3,738 total cases)
— 15.6% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 546 (44 total deaths)
— 60.1% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 43.7% (4,777 fully vaccinated)

Turover // Wikimedia Commons

#18. Greenup County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 0 (0 new cases, -100% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 34,278 (12,031 total cases)
— 16.0% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 233 (140 total deaths)
— 31.7% less deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 52.0% (18,262 fully vaccinated)

w:User:Malepheasant // Wikimedia Commons

#17. Boyd County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 0 (0 new cases, -100% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 34,796 (16,256 total cases)
— 17.7% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 195 (174 total deaths)
— 42.8% less deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 49.1% (22,936 fully vaccinated)

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#16. Lyon County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 0 (0 new cases, 0% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 34,933 (2,868 total cases)
— 18.2% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 203 (33 total deaths)
— 40.5% less deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 58.3% (4,786 fully vaccinated)

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#15. Floyd County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 0 (0 new cases, -100% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 35,151 (12,510 total cases)
— 18.9% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 337 (183 total deaths)
— 1.2% less deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 57.0% (20,300 fully vaccinated)

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#14. Wolfe County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 0 (0 new cases, -100% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 35,168 (2,517 total cases)
— 19.0% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 191 (22 total deaths)
— 44.0% less deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 53.8% (3,849 fully vaccinated)

W.marsh // Wikimedia Commons

#13. Harlan County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 0 (0 new cases, -100% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 35,383 (9,203 total cases)
— 19.7% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 88 (201 total deaths)
— 74.2% less deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 46.3% (12,041 fully vaccinated)

JERRYE & ROY KLOTZ MD // Wikimedia Commons

#12. Owsley County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 0 (0 new cases, 0% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 35,674 (1,575 total cases)
— 20.7% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 442 (25 total deaths)
— 29.6% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 47.5% (2,097 fully vaccinated)

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#11. Russell County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 0 (0 new cases, -100% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 35,809 (6,418 total cases)
— 21.2% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 279 (86 total deaths)
— 18.2% less deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 45.8% (8,204 fully vaccinated)

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#10. Clinton County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 0 (0 new cases, -100% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 35,809 (3,659 total cases)
— 21.2% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 141 (51 total deaths)
— 58.7% less deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 40.7% (4,156 fully vaccinated)

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#9. Taylor County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 0 (0 new cases, -100% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 36,703 (9,458 total cases)
— 24.2% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 299 (118 total deaths)
— 12.3% less deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 48.0% (12,381 fully vaccinated)

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#8. Knox County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 0 (0 new cases, -100% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 36,892 (11,490 total cases)
— 24.8% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 411 (134 total deaths)
— 20.5% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 36.4% (11,351 fully vaccinated)

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#7. Morgan County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 0 (0 new cases, -100% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 37,599 (5,004 total cases)
— 27.2% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 350 (22 total deaths)
— 2.6% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 48.2% (6,415 fully vaccinated)

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#6. Leslie County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 0 (0 new cases, -100% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 37,663 (3,720 total cases)
— 27.4% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 175 (46 total deaths)
— 48.7% less deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 52.1% (5,146 fully vaccinated)

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#5. Powell County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 0 (0 new cases, -100% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 38,450 (4,752 total cases)
— 30.1% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 332 (42 total deaths)
— 2.6% less deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 52.7% (6,516 fully vaccinated)

No machine-readable author provided. Blinutne assumed (based on copyright claims). // Wikimedia Commons

#4. Whitley County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 0 (0 new cases, -100% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 39,408 (14,291 total cases)
— 33.3% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 534 (184 total deaths)
— 56.6% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 44.3% (16,070 fully vaccinated)

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#3. Clay County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 0 (0 new cases, 0% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 39,496 (7,860 total cases)
— 33.6% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 80 (90 total deaths)
— 76.5% less deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 44.4% (8,835 fully vaccinated)

W.marsh // Wikimedia Commons

#2. Lee County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 0 (0 new cases, -100% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 39,592 (2,931 total cases)
— 34.0% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 169 (49 total deaths)
— 50.4% less deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 49.8% (3,687 fully vaccinated)

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#1. Perry County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 0 (0 new cases, -100% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 42,674 (10,992 total cases)
— 44.4% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 273 (165 total deaths)
— 19.9% less deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 62.2% (16,009 fully vaccinated)