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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. Early research suggests this strain may cause less severe illness than Delta and the original virus, however, health officials have warned an Omicron-driven surge could still increase hospitalization and death rates—especially in areas with less vaccinated populations.

The United States as of March 10 reached 964,448 COVID-19-related deaths and 79.4 million COVID-19 cases, according to Johns Hopkins University. Currently, 65.2% of the population is fully vaccinated, and 44.1% 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 March 9, 2021. 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.

Greg5030 // Wikimedia Commons

#50. Mason County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 217 (37 new cases, -16% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 26,755 (4,567 total cases)
— 7.4% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 574 (98 total deaths)
— 81.1% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 50.4% (8,610 fully vaccinated)

HiB2Bornot2B // Wikimedia Commons

#49. Johnson County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 225 (50 new cases, -49% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 26,672 (5,918 total cases)
— 7.7% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 437 (97 total deaths)
— 37.9% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 49.9% (11,071 fully vaccinated)

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#48. Lawrence County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 229 (35 new cases, -57% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 29,281 (4,485 total cases)
— 1.3% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 385 (59 total deaths)
— 21.5% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 47.9% (7,338 fully vaccinated)

JERRYE & ROY KLOTZ MD // Wikimedia Commons

#47. Franklin County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 233 (119 new cases, -28% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 25,946 (13,230 total cases)
— 10.2% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 265 (135 total deaths)
— 16.4% less deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 60.7% (30,977 fully vaccinated)

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#46. Estill County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 234 (33 new cases, -25% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 28,874 (4,073 total cases)
— 0.1% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 298 (42 total deaths)
— 6.0% less deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 51.3% (7,237 fully vaccinated)

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#45. Casey County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 235 (38 new cases, -19% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 24,500 (3,959 total cases)
— 15.2% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 408 (66 total deaths)
— 28.7% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 35.7% (5,767 fully vaccinated)

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#44. Clay County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 236 (47 new cases, -45% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 38,968 (7,755 total cases)
— 34.9% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 417 (83 total deaths)
— 31.5% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 44.0% (8,753 fully vaccinated)

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#43. Letcher County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 241 (52 new cases, -55% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 31,416 (6,771 total cases)
— 8.7% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 455 (98 total deaths)
— 43.5% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 52.8% (11,374 fully vaccinated)

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#42. Lyon County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 244 (20 new cases, -53% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 34,373 (2,822 total cases)
— 19.0% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 402 (33 total deaths)
— 26.8% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 58.0% (4,763 fully vaccinated)

Jim.henderson // Wikimedia Commons

#41. Hopkins County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 248 (111 new cases, -31% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 32,939 (14,719 total cases)
— 14.0% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 546 (244 total deaths)
— 72.2% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 51.2% (22,881 fully vaccinated)

C. Bedford Crenshaw // Wikimedia Commons

#40. Lewis County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 249 (33 new cases, -28% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 33,529 (4,451 total cases)
— 16.0% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 595 (79 total deaths)
— 87.7% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 38.5% (5,112 fully vaccinated)

CoryClaxon // Wikimedia Commons

#39. Carter County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 250 (67 new cases, -37% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 31,615 (8,472 total cases)
— 9.4% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 366 (98 total deaths)
— 15.5% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 48.7% (13,056 fully vaccinated)

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#38. Floyd County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 253 (90 new cases, -48% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 34,620 (12,321 total cases)
— 19.8% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 447 (159 total deaths)
— 41.0% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 56.6% (20,141 fully vaccinated)

C. Bedford Crenshaw // Wikimedia Commons

#37. Caldwell County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 259 (33 new cases, -60% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 31,498 (4,015 total cases)
— 9.0% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 455 (58 total deaths)
— 43.5% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 51.7% (6,591 fully vaccinated)

W.marsh // Wikimedia Commons

#36. Scott County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 260 (148 new cases, -23% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 27,810 (15,853 total cases)
— 3.8% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 165 (94 total deaths)
— 47.9% less deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 55.2% (31,448 fully vaccinated)

W.marsh // Wikimedia Commons

#35. Rowan County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 262 (64 new cases, -42% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 26,325 (6,439 total cases)
— 8.9% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 225 (55 total deaths)
— 29.0% less deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 51.1% (12,500 fully vaccinated)

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#34. Grant County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 267 (67 new cases, -14% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 27,017 (6,773 total cases)
— 6.5% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 207 (52 total deaths)
— 34.7% less deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 48.4% (12,141 fully vaccinated)

Turover // Wikimedia Commons

#33. Greenup County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 274 (96 new cases, -16% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 33,934 (11,910 total cases)
— 17.4% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 359 (126 total deaths)
— 13.2% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 51.6% (18,108 fully vaccinated)

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#32. Knott County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 277 (41 new cases, -62% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 27,394 (4,056 total cases)
— 5.2% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 392 (58 total deaths)
— 23.7% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 47.4% (7,024 fully vaccinated)

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#31. Martin County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 286 (32 new cases, -49% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 28,933 (3,239 total cases)
— 0.1% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 402 (45 total deaths)
— 26.8% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 53.6% (6,002 fully vaccinated)

W.marsh // Wikimedia Commons

#30. Laurel County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 289 (176 new cases, -26% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 30,334 (18,447 total cases)
— 5.0% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 334 (203 total deaths)
— 5.4% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 40.1% (24,406 fully vaccinated)

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#29. Barren County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 307 (136 new cases, +33% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 28,896 (12,786 total cases)
— 0.0% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 470 (208 total deaths)
— 48.3% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 45.6% (20,162 fully vaccinated)

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#28. Elliott County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 346 (26 new cases, -59% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 29,985 (2,254 total cases)
— 3.8% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 213 (16 total deaths)
— 32.8% less deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 35.4% (2,659 fully vaccinated)

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#27. Russell County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 346 (62 new cases, -23% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 34,542 (6,191 total cases)
— 19.5% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 452 (81 total deaths)
— 42.6% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 45.4% (8,132 fully vaccinated)

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#26. Magoffin County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 354 (43 new cases, -38% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 31,379 (3,816 total cases)
— 8.6% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 337 (41 total deaths)
— 6.3% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 50.8% (6,172 fully vaccinated)

Brian Stansberry // Wikimedia Commons

#25. Christian County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 356 (251 new cases, +1% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 22,788 (16,057 total cases)
— 21.1% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 278 (196 total deaths)
— 12.3% less deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 35.6% (25,092 fully vaccinated)

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#24. Anderson County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 369 (84 new cases, +20% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 27,432 (6,240 total cases)
— 5.1% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 286 (65 total deaths)
— 9.8% less deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 54.8% (12,456 fully vaccinated)

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#23. Cumberland County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 378 (25 new cases, +19% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 32,567 (2,154 total cases)
— 12.7% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 423 (28 total deaths)
— 33.4% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 44.2% (2,921 fully vaccinated)

Christopher L. Riley // Wikimedia Commons

#22. Clark County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 386 (140 new cases, -7% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 27,460 (9,958 total cases)
— 5.0% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 146 (53 total deaths)
— 53.9% less deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 54.1% (19,609 fully vaccinated)

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

#21. Whitley County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 389 (141 new cases, -26% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 38,495 (13,960 total cases)
— 33.2% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 463 (168 total deaths)
— 46.1% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 43.8% (15,891 fully vaccinated)

W.marsh // Wikimedia Commons

#20. Montgomery County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 444 (125 new cases, +7% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 23,880 (6,724 total cases)
— 17.4% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 309 (87 total deaths)
— 2.5% less deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 46.1% (12,973 fully vaccinated)

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#19. Livingston County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 446 (41 new cases, +24% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 25,419 (2,337 total cases)
— 12.0% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 631 (58 total deaths)
— 99.1% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 48.9% (4,493 fully vaccinated)

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#18. Menifee County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 478 (31 new cases, -62% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 23,378 (1,517 total cases)
— 19.1% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 462 (30 total deaths)
— 45.7% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 44.1% (2,861 fully vaccinated)

W.marsh // Wikimedia Commons

#17. Adair County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 490 (94 new cases, -12% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 29,018 (5,572 total cases)
— 0.4% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 516 (99 total deaths)
— 62.8% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 38.9% (7,477 fully vaccinated)

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#16. Breathitt County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 491 (62 new cases, -42% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 28,361 (3,582 total cases)
— 1.9% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 404 (51 total deaths)
— 27.4% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 52.2% (6,596 fully vaccinated)

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#15. Pulaski County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 496 (322 new cases, +2% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 24,759 (16,088 total cases)
— 14.3% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 394 (256 total deaths)
— 24.3% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 45.8% (29,737 fully vaccinated)

W.marsh // Wikimedia Commons

#14. Bath County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 512 (64 new cases, -24% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 23,384 (2,923 total cases)
— 19.1% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 304 (38 total deaths)
— 4.1% less deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 53.5% (6,692 fully vaccinated)

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#13. Green County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 512 (56 new cases, +40% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 32,355 (3,540 total cases)
— 12.0% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 347 (38 total deaths)
— 9.5% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 43.4% (4,748 fully vaccinated)

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#12. Perry County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 516 (133 new cases, -63% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 41,086 (10,583 total cases)
— 42.2% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 578 (149 total deaths)
— 82.3% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 61.6% (15,859 fully vaccinated)

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#11. Clinton County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 519 (53 new cases, +10% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 33,314 (3,404 total cases)
— 15.3% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 431 (44 total deaths)
— 36.0% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 40.3% (4,113 fully vaccinated)

W.marsh // Wikimedia Commons

#10. Lee County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 554 (41 new cases, -37% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 39,187 (2,901 total cases)
— 35.6% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 621 (46 total deaths)
— 95.9% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 49.4% (3,656 fully vaccinated)

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#9. Leslie County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 597 (59 new cases, -20% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 36,894 (3,644 total cases)
— 27.7% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 395 (39 total deaths)
— 24.6% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 51.5% (5,091 fully vaccinated)

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#8. Taylor County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 660 (170 new cases, +3% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 34,507 (8,892 total cases)
— 19.4% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 439 (113 total deaths)
— 38.5% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 47.6% (12,267 fully vaccinated)

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#7. Morgan County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 676 (90 new cases, -43% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 35,254 (4,692 total cases)
— 22.0% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 135 (18 total deaths)
— 57.4% less deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 47.8% (6,360 fully vaccinated)

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#6. Wolfe County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 699 (50 new cases, -48% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 33,645 (2,408 total cases)
— 16.4% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 252 (18 total deaths)
— 20.5% less deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 53.3% (3,815 fully vaccinated)

JERRYE & ROY KLOTZ MD // Wikimedia Commons

#5. Wayne County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 733 (149 new cases, -21% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 25,712 (5,228 total cases)
— 11.0% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 433 (88 total deaths)
— 36.6% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 41.4% (8,427 fully vaccinated)

Dcoetzee // Wikimedia Commons

#4. Trigg County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 785 (115 new cases, +4% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 25,049 (3,670 total cases)
— 13.3% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 280 (41 total deaths)
— 11.7% less deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 46.5% (6,815 fully vaccinated)

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#3. Pike County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 890 (515 new cases, -9% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 31,866 (18,443 total cases)
— 10.3% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 451 (261 total deaths)
— 42.3% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 52.5% (30,385 fully vaccinated)

Kybluegrass // Wikimedia Commons

#2. McCreary County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 911 (157 new cases, +62% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 30,219 (5,207 total cases)
— 4.6% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 435 (75 total deaths)
— 37.2% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 38.8% (6,679 fully vaccinated)

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#1. Crittenden County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 943 (83 new cases, -3% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 24,608 (2,167 total cases)
— 14.8% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 522 (46 total deaths)
— 64.7% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 40.6% (3,579 fully vaccinated)