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 July 15. 17 reached over 1 million COVID-19-related deaths and 86 million COVID-19 cases, according to Johns Hopkins University. Currently, 66.7% of the population is fully vaccinated, and 46.9% 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 July 14, 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.

W.marsh // Wikimedia Commons

#50. Bourbon County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 202 (40 new cases, -25% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 32,287 (6,389 total cases)
— 1.2% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 308 (61 total deaths)
— 15.4% less deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 58.7% (11,610 fully vaccinated)

Christopher L. Riley // Wikimedia Commons

#49. Fayette County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 206 (666 new cases, -14% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 31,913 (103,127 total cases)
— 0.1% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 194 (628 total deaths)
— 46.7% less deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 67.5% (218,004 fully vaccinated)

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#48. Livingston County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 207 (19 new cases, +90% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 28,660 (2,635 total cases)
— 10.1% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 663 (61 total deaths)
— 82.1% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 49.9% (4,586 fully vaccinated)

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#47. Anderson County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 207 (47 new cases, -6% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 30,769 (6,999 total cases)
— 3.5% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 312 (71 total deaths)
— 14.3% less deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 56.2% (12,781 fully vaccinated)

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#46. Pulaski County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 208 (135 new cases, +101% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 29,020 (18,857 total cases)
— 9.0% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 459 (298 total deaths)
— 26.1% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 46.8% (30,396 fully vaccinated)

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

#45. Madison County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 208 (193 new cases, -9% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 31,564 (29,350 total cases)
— 1.0% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 308 (286 total deaths)
— 15.4% less deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 48.6% (45,175 fully vaccinated)

Bedford // Wikimedia Commons

#44. Logan County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 210 (57 new cases, +54% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 32,101 (8,700 total cases)
— 0.7% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 476 (129 total deaths)
— 30.8% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 51.4% (13,934 fully vaccinated)

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#43. Estill County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 213 (30 new cases, +76% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 30,086 (4,244 total cases)
— 5.7% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 369 (52 total deaths)
— 1.4% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 52.7% (7,439 fully vaccinated)

Christopher L. Riley // Wikimedia Commons

#42. Boyle County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 213 (64 new cases, +12% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 31,094 (9,347 total cases)
— 2.5% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 459 (138 total deaths)
— 26.1% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 57.6% (17,300 fully vaccinated)

JERRYE & ROY KLOTZ MD // Wikimedia Commons

#41. Franklin County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 214 (109 new cases, +7% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 29,184 (14,881 total cases)
— 8.5% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 312 (159 total deaths)
— 14.3% less deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 62.1% (31,664 fully vaccinated)

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#40. Allen County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 221 (47 new cases, -15% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 32,390 (6,904 total cases)
— 1.6% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 511 (109 total deaths)
— 40.4% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 40.0% (8,528 fully vaccinated)

W.marsh // Wikimedia Commons

#39. Larue County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 222 (32 new cases, -37% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 27,358 (3,939 total cases)
— 14.2% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 514 (74 total deaths)
— 41.2% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 44.1% (6,348 fully vaccinated)

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#38. Spencer County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 222 (43 new cases, +16% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 29,699 (5,747 total cases)
— 6.9% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 326 (63 total deaths)
— 10.4% less deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 30.5% (5,904 fully vaccinated)

Christopher L. Riley // Wikimedia Commons

#37. Jessamine County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 225 (122 new cases, +39% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 29,807 (16,130 total cases)
— 6.5% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 272 (147 total deaths)
— 25.3% less deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 54.4% (29,451 fully vaccinated)

Christopher L. Riley // Wikimedia Commons

#36. Clark County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 226 (82 new cases, -2% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 31,815 (11,537 total cases)
— 0.2% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 201 (73 total deaths)
— 44.8% less deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 55.3% (20,065 fully vaccinated)

C. Bedford Crenshaw // Wikimedia Commons

#35. Lewis County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 226 (30 new cases, +25% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 35,819 (4,755 total cases)
— 12.3% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 663 (88 total deaths)
— 82.1% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 39.8% (5,281 fully vaccinated)

W.marsh // Wikimedia Commons

#34. Laurel County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 229 (139 new cases, +34% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 35,048 (21,314 total cases)
— 9.9% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 413 (251 total deaths)
— 13.5% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 40.8% (24,839 fully vaccinated)

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#33. Taylor County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 233 (60 new cases, -2% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 38,558 (9,936 total cases)
— 20.9% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 493 (127 total deaths)
— 35.4% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 48.6% (12,513 fully vaccinated)

verygreen // Wikimedia Commons

#32. Rockcastle County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 234 (39 new cases, +34% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 31,417 (5,245 total cases)
— 1.5% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 377 (63 total deaths)
— 3.6% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 40.9% (6,833 fully vaccinated)

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#31. Russell County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 240 (43 new cases, +23% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 37,555 (6,731 total cases)
— 17.8% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 491 (88 total deaths)
— 34.9% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 46.3% (8,301 fully vaccinated)

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#30. Mercer County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 251 (55 new cases, -18% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 35,449 (7,775 total cases)
— 11.2% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 488 (107 total deaths)
— 34.1% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 55.1% (12,089 fully vaccinated)

W.marsh // Wikimedia Commons

#29. Scott County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 253 (144 new cases, +37% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 33,542 (19,120 total cases)
— 5.2% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 202 (115 total deaths)
— 44.5% less deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 56.3% (32,104 fully vaccinated)

Farragutful // Wikimedia Commons

#28. Daviess County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 256 (260 new cases, +41% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 31,957 (32,440 total cases)
— 0.2% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 389 (395 total deaths)
— 6.9% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 54.7% (55,552 fully vaccinated)

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#27. Powell County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 259 (32 new cases, -9% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 40,206 (4,969 total cases)
— 26.1% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 364 (45 total deaths)
— 0.0% less deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 53.3% (6,589 fully vaccinated)

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#26. Letcher County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 260 (56 new cases, +30% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 34,552 (7,447 total cases)
— 8.4% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 552 (119 total deaths)
— 51.6% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 53.6% (11,561 fully vaccinated)

CoryClaxon // Wikimedia Commons

#25. Carter County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 261 (70 new cases, -10% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 34,519 (9,250 total cases)
— 8.2% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 407 (109 total deaths)
— 11.8% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 49.7% (13,318 fully vaccinated)

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#24. Bracken County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 265 (22 new cases, +144% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 28,062 (2,330 total cases)
— 12.0% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 325 (27 total deaths)
— 10.7% less deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 47.8% (3,968 fully vaccinated)

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#23. Wolfe County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 265 (19 new cases, +6% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 37,516 (2,685 total cases)
— 17.6% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 405 (29 total deaths)
— 11.3% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 54.4% (3,893 fully vaccinated)

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#22. Barren County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 267 (118 new cases, -2% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 30,859 (13,655 total cases)
— 3.2% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 502 (222 total deaths)
— 37.9% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 46.6% (20,604 fully vaccinated)

Chris Light // Wikimedia Commons

#21. Nelson County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 270 (125 new cases, +19% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 33,154 (15,328 total cases)
— 4.0% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 340 (157 total deaths)
— 6.6% less deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 52.8% (24,417 fully vaccinated)

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#20. Floyd County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 270 (96 new cases, +4% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 36,736 (13,074 total cases)
— 15.2% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 624 (222 total deaths)
— 71.4% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 57.6% (20,489 fully vaccinated)

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#19. Knox County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 283 (88 new cases, +91% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 38,578 (12,015 total cases)
— 21.0% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 485 (151 total deaths)
— 33.2% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 37.0% (11,524 fully vaccinated)

Megangen1990 // Wikimedia Commons

#18. Muhlenberg County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 287 (88 new cases, -6% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 35,122 (10,755 total cases)
— 10.1% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 405 (124 total deaths)
— 11.3% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 51.7% (15,817 fully vaccinated)

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#17. Simpson County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 291 (54 new cases, +135% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 32,323 (6,003 total cases)
— 1.4% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 517 (96 total deaths)
— 42.0% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 51.3% (9,522 fully vaccinated)

Wdzinc // Wikimedia Commons

#16. Marion County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 301 (58 new cases, -13% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 34,909 (6,728 total cases)
— 9.5% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 446 (86 total deaths)
— 22.5% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 51.0% (9,821 fully vaccinated)

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#15. Cumberland County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 302 (20 new cases, +400% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 34,790 (2,301 total cases)
— 9.1% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 499 (33 total deaths)
— 37.1% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 45.2% (2,989 fully vaccinated)

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#14. Metcalfe County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 308 (31 new cases, +35% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 29,957 (3,017 total cases)
— 6.1% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 675 (68 total deaths)
— 85.4% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 41.1% (4,136 fully vaccinated)

HiB2Bornot2B // Wikimedia Commons

#13. Johnson County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 311 (69 new cases, +68% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 30,841 (6,843 total cases)
— 3.3% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 563 (125 total deaths)
— 54.7% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 50.7% (11,254 fully vaccinated)

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#12. Hardin County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 312 (346 new cases, -6% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 31,655 (35,124 total cases)
— 0.7% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 404 (448 total deaths)
— 11.0% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 65.0% (72,090 fully vaccinated)

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#11. Leslie County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 314 (31 new cases, -9% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 39,658 (3,917 total cases)
— 24.4% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 496 (49 total deaths)
— 36.3% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 52.8% (5,215 fully vaccinated)

W.marsh // Wikimedia Commons

#10. Montgomery County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 320 (90 new cases, +23% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 33,132 (9,329 total cases)
— 3.9% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 391 (110 total deaths)
— 7.4% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 47.4% (13,337 fully vaccinated)

w:User:Malepheasant // Wikimedia Commons

#9. Boyd County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 321 (150 new cases, +22% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 37,577 (17,555 total cases)
— 17.8% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 390 (182 total deaths)
— 7.1% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 49.9% (23,310 fully vaccinated)

Turover // Wikimedia Commons

#8. Greenup County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 342 (120 new cases, +10% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 36,891 (12,948 total cases)
— 15.7% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 430 (151 total deaths)
— 18.1% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 53.1% (18,629 fully vaccinated)

W.marsh // Wikimedia Commons

#7. Adair County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 344 (66 new cases, +57% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 32,596 (6,259 total cases)
— 2.2% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 568 (109 total deaths)
— 56.0% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 39.7% (7,615 fully vaccinated)

W.marsh // Wikimedia Commons

#6. Woodford County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 370 (99 new cases, +34% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 28,454 (7,607 total cases)
— 10.8% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 198 (53 total deaths)
— 45.6% less deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 66.8% (17,864 fully vaccinated)

W.marsh // Wikimedia Commons

#5. Rowan County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 380 (93 new cases, +63% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 29,456 (7,205 total cases)
— 7.6% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 294 (72 total deaths)
— 19.2% less deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 52.8% (12,911 fully vaccinated)

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#4. Breathitt County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 380 (48 new cases, +9% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 32,454 (4,099 total cases)
— 1.8% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 435 (55 total deaths)
— 19.5% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 53.2% (6,715 fully vaccinated)

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#3. Perry County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 412 (106 new cases, +14% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 45,419 (11,699 total cases)
— 42.4% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 714 (184 total deaths)
— 96.2% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 62.8% (16,165 fully vaccinated)

Brian Stansberry // Wikimedia Commons

#2. Washington County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 430 (52 new cases, +30% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 34,675 (4,194 total cases)
— 8.7% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 513 (62 total deaths)
— 40.9% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 51.6% (6,247 fully vaccinated)

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#1. Lyon County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 548 (45 new cases, +88% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 37,479 (3,077 total cases)
— 17.5% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 438 (36 total deaths)
— 20.3% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 58.7% (4,823 fully vaccinated)