Kybluegrass // Wikimedia Commons

Counties with highest COVID-19 infection rates in Kentucky

As has been true throughout America’s COVID-19 history, every state—and every county therein—has its own COVID-19 story, driven by local policies and behaviors. The United States as of Oct. 5 had reached 704,550 COVID-19-related deaths and nearly 43.9 million COVID-19 cases, according to Johns Hopkins University. As of Feb. 2, more Americans had been vaccinated for COVID-19 than had been infected. But as vaccination rates lagged over the summer, new surges of COVID-19 came. More than 80% of these cases by late July were caused by the Delta variant, which is more contagious than the original virus. This has resulted in growing rates of community transmission and—especially in counties with lower vaccination rates—increasing rates of hospitalization and death.

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. Counties are ranked by the highest infection rate per 100k residents within the past week as of Oct. 4, 2021. Cumulative cases per 100k served as a tiebreaker Keep reading to see whether your county ranks among the highest COVID-19 infection rates in your state.

W.marsh // Wikimedia Commons

#50. Jackson County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 495 (66 new cases, -41% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 18,186 (2,424 total cases)
— 16.8% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 345 (46 total deaths)
— 75.1% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 30.2% (4,032 fully vaccinated)
— 42.8% lower vaccination rate than Kentucky

Turover // Wikimedia Commons

#49. Greenup County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 501 (176 new cases, -36% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 16,921 (5,939 total cases)
— 8.7% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 208 (73 total deaths)
— 5.6% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 43.4% (15,221 fully vaccinated)
— 17.8% lower vaccination rate than Kentucky

Christopher L. Riley // Wikimedia Commons

#48. Clark County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 502 (182 new cases, -12% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 13,394 (4,857 total cases)
— 14.0% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 88 (32 total deaths)
— 55.3% less deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 51.2% (18,576 fully vaccinated)
— 3.0% lower vaccination rate than Kentucky

Brian Stansberry // Wikimedia Commons

#47. Christian County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 521 (367 new cases, -1% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 13,879 (9,779 total cases)
— 10.8% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 169 (119 total deaths)
— 14.2% less deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 29.1% (20,524 fully vaccinated)
— 44.9% lower vaccination rate than Kentucky

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#46. Allen County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 530 (113 new cases, -1% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 16,772 (3,575 total cases)
— 7.7% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 286 (61 total deaths)
— 45.2% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 36.9% (7,855 fully vaccinated)
— 30.1% lower vaccination rate than Kentucky

FloNight (Sydney Poore) and Russell Poore // Wikimedia Commons

#45. Madison County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 532 (495 new cases, -27% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 15,997 (14,875 total cases)
— 2.8% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 144 (134 total deaths)
— 26.9% less deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 44.9% (41,715 fully vaccinated)
— 15.0% lower vaccination rate than Kentucky

Wdzinc // Wikimedia Commons

#44. Marion County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 540 (104 new cases, -11% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 19,265 (3,713 total cases)
— 23.8% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 208 (40 total deaths)
— 5.6% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 48.0% (9,243 fully vaccinated)
— 9.1% lower vaccination rate than Kentucky

W.marsh // Wikimedia Commons

#43. Owen County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 541 (59 new cases, +48% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 11,861 (1,293 total cases)
— 23.8% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 183 (20 total deaths)
— 7.1% less deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 33.7% (3,674 fully vaccinated)
— 36.2% lower vaccination rate than Kentucky

W.marsh // Wikimedia Commons

#42. Garrard County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 543 (96 new cases, -27% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 14,485 (2,559 total cases)
— 7.0% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 238 (42 total deaths)
— 20.8% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 43.4% (7,662 fully vaccinated)
— 17.8% lower vaccination rate than Kentucky

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#41. Cumberland County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 544 (36 new cases, -12% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 15,543 (1,028 total cases)
— 0.2% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 227 (15 total deaths)
— 15.2% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 37.8% (2,498 fully vaccinated)
— 28.4% lower vaccination rate than Kentucky

Jim.henderson // Wikimedia Commons

#40. Hopkins County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 548 (245 new cases, -13% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 16,797 (7,506 total cases)
— 7.9% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 410 (183 total deaths)
— 108.1% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 45.9% (20,506 fully vaccinated)
— 13.1% lower vaccination rate than Kentucky

Chris Light // Wikimedia Commons

#39. Nelson County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 560 (259 new cases, -5% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 16,984 (7,852 total cases)
— 9.1% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 158 (73 total deaths)
— 19.8% less deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 52.0% (24,022 fully vaccinated)
— 1.5% lower vaccination rate than Kentucky

Dcoetzee // Wikimedia Commons

#38. Trigg County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 573 (84 new cases, +24% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 12,532 (1,836 total cases)
— 19.5% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 137 (20 total deaths)
— 30.5% less deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 41.2% (6,040 fully vaccinated)
— 22.0% lower vaccination rate than Kentucky

Bedford // Wikimedia Commons

#37. Webster County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 580 (75 new cases, -3% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 18,197 (2,355 total cases)
— 16.9% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 255 (33 total deaths)
— 29.4% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 40.5% (5,241 fully vaccinated)
— 23.3% lower vaccination rate than Kentucky

Chris Watson // Wikicommons

#36. Jefferson County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 582 (4,464 new cases, +65% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 14,765 (113,209 total cases)
— 5.2% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 197 (1,510 total deaths)
— 0.0% less deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 59.3% (454,675 fully vaccinated)
— 12.3% higher vaccination rate than Kentucky

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#35. Metcalfe County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 586 (59 new cases, -41% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 17,873 (1,800 total cases)
— 14.8% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 367 (37 total deaths)
— 86.3% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 33.8% (3,400 fully vaccinated)
— 36.0% lower vaccination rate than Kentucky

W.marsh // Wikimedia Commons

#34. Adair County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 588 (113 new cases, -3% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 15,191 (2,917 total cases)
— 2.4% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 339 (65 total deaths)
— 72.1% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 34.3% (6,581 fully vaccinated)
— 35.0% lower vaccination rate than Kentucky

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#33. Bell County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 588 (153 new cases, -13% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 21,185 (5,515 total cases)
— 36.1% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 338 (88 total deaths)
— 71.6% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 40.8% (10,619 fully vaccinated)
— 22.7% lower vaccination rate than Kentucky

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#32. Estill County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 610 (86 new cases, -39% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 14,590 (2,058 total cases)
— 6.3% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 85 (12 total deaths)
— 56.9% less deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 44.0% (6,206 fully vaccinated)
— 16.7% lower vaccination rate than Kentucky

Megangen1990 // Wikimedia Commons

#31. Muhlenberg County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 614 (188 new cases, +13% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 17,007 (5,208 total cases)
— 9.3% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 278 (85 total deaths)
— 41.1% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 44.6% (13,662 fully vaccinated)
— 15.5% lower vaccination rate than Kentucky

verygreen // Wikimedia Commons

#30. Rockcastle County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 617 (103 new cases, -28% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 17,688 (2,953 total cases)
— 13.6% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 162 (27 total deaths)
— 17.8% less deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 32.6% (5,441 fully vaccinated)
— 38.3% lower vaccination rate than Kentucky

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#29. Mercer County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 620 (136 new cases, +1% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 18,812 (4,126 total cases)
— 20.8% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 305 (67 total deaths)
— 54.8% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 51.2% (11,222 fully vaccinated)
— 3.0% lower vaccination rate than Kentucky

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#28. Powell County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 623 (77 new cases, -26% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 18,756 (2,318 total cases)
— 20.5% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 162 (20 total deaths)
— 17.8% less deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 46.8% (5,779 fully vaccinated)
— 11.4% lower vaccination rate than Kentucky

W.marsh // Wikimedia Commons

#27. Scott County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 625 (356 new cases, +25% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 13,410 (7,644 total cases)
— 13.9% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 70 (40 total deaths)
— 64.5% less deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 56.9% (32,457 fully vaccinated)
— 7.8% higher vaccination rate than Kentucky

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#26. Martin County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 652 (73 new cases, +3% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 15,748 (1,763 total cases)
— 1.2% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 268 (30 total deaths)
— 36.0% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 45.4% (5,082 fully vaccinated)
— 14.0% lower vaccination rate than Kentucky

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#25. Livingston County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 653 (60 new cases, -13% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 14,096 (1,296 total cases)
— 9.4% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 435 (40 total deaths)
— 120.8% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 43.1% (3,961 fully vaccinated)
— 18.4% lower vaccination rate than Kentucky

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#24. Crittenden County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 659 (58 new cases, +9% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 12,026 (1,059 total cases)
— 22.7% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 375 (33 total deaths)
— 90.4% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 34.9% (3,077 fully vaccinated)
— 33.9% lower vaccination rate than Kentucky

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#23. Knott County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 662 (98 new cases, -13% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 15,034 (2,226 total cases)
— 3.4% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 223 (33 total deaths)
— 13.2% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 41.6% (6,157 fully vaccinated)
— 21.2% lower vaccination rate than Kentucky

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#22. Anderson County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 664 (151 new cases, -14% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 13,092 (2,978 total cases)
— 15.9% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 158 (36 total deaths)
— 19.8% less deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 55.1% (12,533 fully vaccinated)
— 4.4% higher vaccination rate than Kentucky

Joel Bradshaw // Wikimedia Commons

#21. Ohio County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 704 (169 new cases, +1% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 17,125 (4,109 total cases)
— 10.0% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 308 (74 total deaths)
— 56.3% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 34.5% (8,268 fully vaccinated)
— 34.7% lower vaccination rate than Kentucky

W.marsh // Wikimedia Commons

#20. Pendleton County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 713 (104 new cases, +25% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 12,454 (1,817 total cases)
— 20.0% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 89 (13 total deaths)
— 54.8% less deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 40.7% (5,936 fully vaccinated)
— 22.9% lower vaccination rate than Kentucky

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#19. Leslie County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 719 (71 new cases, -53% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 20,472 (2,022 total cases)
— 31.5% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 132 (13 total deaths)
— 33.0% less deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 44.8% (4,425 fully vaccinated)
— 15.2% lower vaccination rate than Kentucky

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#18. Clinton County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 724 (74 new cases, +10% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 18,409 (1,881 total cases)
— 18.3% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 313 (32 total deaths)
— 58.9% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 33.9% (3,463 fully vaccinated)
— 35.8% lower vaccination rate than Kentucky

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#17. Russell County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 736 (132 new cases, -19% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 18,005 (3,227 total cases)
— 15.7% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 301 (54 total deaths)
— 52.8% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 41.2% (7,388 fully vaccinated)
— 22.0% lower vaccination rate than Kentucky

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#16. Magoffin County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 765 (93 new cases, -43% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 17,063 (2,075 total cases)
— 9.6% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 148 (18 total deaths)
— 24.9% less deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 43.3% (5,261 fully vaccinated)
— 18.0% lower vaccination rate than Kentucky

Brian Stansberry // Wikimedia Commons

#15. Harrison County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 768 (145 new cases, +1% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 15,932 (3,009 total cases)
— 2.3% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 154 (29 total deaths)
— 21.8% less deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 42.6% (8,047 fully vaccinated)
— 19.3% lower vaccination rate than Kentucky

C. Bedford Crenshaw // Wikimedia Commons

#14. Caldwell County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 769 (98 new cases, +4% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 16,663 (2,124 total cases)
— 7.0% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 353 (45 total deaths)
— 79.2% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 44.6% (5,688 fully vaccinated)
— 15.5% lower vaccination rate than Kentucky

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#13. Lawrence County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 770 (118 new cases, +9% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 15,669 (2,400 total cases)
— 0.7% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 235 (36 total deaths)
— 19.3% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 38.7% (5,929 fully vaccinated)
— 26.7% lower vaccination rate than Kentucky

FloNight (Sydney Poore) and Russell Poore // Wikimedia Commons

#12. Lincoln County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 770 (189 new cases, -14% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 16,180 (3,972 total cases)
— 3.9% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 301 (74 total deaths)
— 52.8% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 37.0% (9,079 fully vaccinated)
— 29.9% lower vaccination rate than Kentucky

Huw Williams (Huwmanbeing) // Wikimedia Commons

#11. Grayson County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 772 (204 new cases, -11% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 16,230 (4,289 total cases)
— 4.3% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 284 (75 total deaths)
— 44.2% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 43.5% (11,494 fully vaccinated)
— 17.6% lower vaccination rate than Kentucky

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#10. Taylor County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 799 (206 new cases, +1% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 19,353 (4,987 total cases)
— 24.3% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 279 (72 total deaths)
— 41.6% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 46.6% (12,017 fully vaccinated)
— 11.7% lower vaccination rate than Kentucky

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#9. Perry County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 870 (224 new cases, -26% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 21,927 (5,648 total cases)
— 40.9% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 318 (82 total deaths)
— 61.4% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 53.5% (13,784 fully vaccinated)
— 1.3% higher vaccination rate than Kentucky

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

#8. Whitley County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 888 (322 new cases, -39% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 21,997 (7,977 total cases)
— 41.3% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 207 (75 total deaths)
— 5.1% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 38.4% (13,914 fully vaccinated)
— 27.3% lower vaccination rate than Kentucky

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#7. Letcher County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 942 (203 new cases, -20% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 16,805 (3,622 total cases)
— 8.0% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 269 (58 total deaths)
— 36.5% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 46.0% (9,919 fully vaccinated)
— 12.9% lower vaccination rate than Kentucky

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#6. Knox County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 954 (297 new cases, -16% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 22,103 (6,884 total cases)
— 42.0% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 157 (49 total deaths)
— 20.3% less deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 31.2% (9,731 fully vaccinated)
— 40.9% lower vaccination rate than Kentucky

JERRYE & ROY KLOTZ MD // Wikimedia Commons

#5. Owsley County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 974 (43 new cases, -23% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 20,544 (907 total cases)
— 32.0% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 362 (16 total deaths)
— 83.8% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 39.5% (1,742 fully vaccinated)
— 25.2% lower vaccination rate than Kentucky

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#4. Nicholas County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 977 (71 new cases, -1% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 14,266 (1,037 total cases)
— 8.4% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 193 (14 total deaths)
— 2.0% less deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 46.7% (3,393 fully vaccinated)
— 11.6% lower vaccination rate than Kentucky

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#3. Green County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 1,015 (111 new cases, +12% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 18,965 (2,075 total cases)
— 21.8% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 201 (22 total deaths)
— 2.0% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 37.5% (4,104 fully vaccinated)
— 29.0% lower vaccination rate than Kentucky

W.marsh // Wikimedia Commons

#2. Harlan County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 1,015 (264 new cases, -15% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 19,162 (4,984 total cases)
— 23.1% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 446 (116 total deaths)
— 126.4% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 38.7% (10,078 fully vaccinated)
— 26.7% lower vaccination rate than Kentucky

Kybluegrass // Wikimedia Commons

#1. McCreary County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 1,079 (186 new cases, -3% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 18,351 (3,162 total cases)
— 17.9% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 261 (45 total deaths)
— 32.5% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 36.4% (6,264 fully vaccinated)
— 31.1% lower vaccination rate than Kentucky