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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.

The United States as of Aug. 17 reached over 1 million COVID-19-related deaths and 93.2 million COVID-19 cases, according to Johns Hopkins University. Currently, 67.3% of the population is fully vaccinated, and 48.3% 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 Aug. 16, 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.

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#50. Pike County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 280 (162 new cases, -29% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 37,280 (21,576 total cases)
— 10.4% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 570 (330 total deaths)
— 54.1% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 53.4% (30,902 fully vaccinated)

W.marsh // Wikimedia Commons

#49. Adair County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 281 (54 new cases, +46% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 34,642 (6,652 total cases)
— 2.6% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 573 (110 total deaths)
— 54.9% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 39.9% (7,657 fully vaccinated)

W.marsh // Wikimedia Commons

#48. Montgomery County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 281 (79 new cases, +1% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 34,936 (9,837 total cases)
— 3.4% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 391 (110 total deaths)
— 5.7% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 47.5% (13,378 fully vaccinated)

Smceuen // Wikimedia Commons

#47. Carroll County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 282 (30 new cases, +20% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 35,453 (3,769 total cases)
— 5.0% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 480 (51 total deaths)
— 29.7% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 47.4% (5,040 fully vaccinated)

Farragutful // Wikimedia Commons

#46. Daviess County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 283 (287 new cases, -16% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 33,966 (34,479 total cases)
— 0.6% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 396 (402 total deaths)
— 7.0% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 54.9% (55,724 fully vaccinated)

Christopher L. Riley // Wikimedia Commons

#45. Clark County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 284 (103 new cases, -10% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 34,007 (12,332 total cases)
— 0.7% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 207 (75 total deaths)
— 44.1% less deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 55.5% (20,135 fully vaccinated)

Greg5030 // Wikimedia Commons

#44. Mason County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 287 (49 new cases, +32% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 32,525 (5,552 total cases)
— 3.7% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 644 (110 total deaths)
— 74.1% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 51.7% (8,833 fully vaccinated)

W.marsh // Wikimedia Commons

#43. Owen County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 294 (32 new cases, -32% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 24,943 (2,719 total cases)
— 26.1% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 321 (35 total deaths)
— 13.2% less deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 38.2% (4,161 fully vaccinated)

Brian Stansberry // Wikimedia Commons

#42. Monroe County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 300 (32 new cases, +45% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 37,324 (3,975 total cases)
— 10.5% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 789 (84 total deaths)
— 113.2% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 46.8% (4,983 fully vaccinated)

w.marsh // Wikimedia Commons

#41. Henderson County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 305 (138 new cases, -31% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 34,375 (15,541 total cases)
— 1.8% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 392 (177 total deaths)
— 5.9% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 52.5% (23,752 fully vaccinated)

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#40. Clay County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 307 (61 new cases, +15% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 42,319 (8,422 total cases)
— 25.3% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 487 (97 total deaths)
— 31.6% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 45.4% (9,040 fully vaccinated)

Bedford // Wikimedia Commons

#39. Webster County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 309 (40 new cases, -17% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 33,418 (4,325 total cases)
— 1.1% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 386 (50 total deaths)
— 4.3% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 46.7% (6,049 fully vaccinated)

W.marsh // Wikimedia Commons

#38. Laurel County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 309 (188 new cases, -20% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 37,563 (22,843 total cases)
— 11.2% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 423 (257 total deaths)
— 14.3% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 41.0% (24,917 fully vaccinated)

Chris Light // Wikimedia Commons

#37. Nelson County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 314 (145 new cases, +14% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 35,388 (16,361 total cases)
— 4.8% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 344 (159 total deaths)
— 7.0% less deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 53.1% (24,541 fully vaccinated)

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#36. McLean County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 326 (30 new cases, +11% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 31,693 (2,918 total cases)
— 6.2% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 597 (55 total deaths)
— 61.4% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 52.0% (4,791 fully vaccinated)

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#35. Lawrence County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 326 (50 new cases, +9% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 32,369 (4,958 total cases)
— 4.2% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 496 (76 total deaths)
— 34.1% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 49.2% (7,542 fully vaccinated)

W.marsh // Wikimedia Commons

#34. Bath County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 328 (41 new cases, -31% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 29,648 (3,706 total cases)
— 12.2% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 392 (49 total deaths)
— 5.9% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 54.7% (6,842 fully vaccinated)

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#33. Martin County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 331 (37 new cases, +42% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 32,559 (3,645 total cases)
— 3.6% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 438 (49 total deaths)
— 18.4% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 54.8% (6,137 fully vaccinated)

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

#32. Whitley County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 331 (120 new cases, -21% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 41,223 (14,949 total cases)
— 22.1% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 587 (213 total deaths)
— 58.6% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 45.1% (16,371 fully vaccinated)

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#31. Casey County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 334 (54 new cases, +12% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 28,436 (4,595 total cases)
— 15.8% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 470 (76 total deaths)
— 27.0% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 36.8% (5,942 fully vaccinated)

Patricia Drury // Wikimedia Commons

#30. Union County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 334 (48 new cases, -2% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 33,565 (4,827 total cases)
— 0.6% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 403 (58 total deaths)
— 8.9% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 43.1% (6,200 fully vaccinated)

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#29. Allen County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 338 (72 new cases, -13% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 34,722 (7,401 total cases)
— 2.8% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 521 (111 total deaths)
— 40.8% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 40.2% (8,565 fully vaccinated)

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#28. Henry County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 341 (55 new cases, +8% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 34,640 (5,586 total cases)
— 2.6% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 335 (54 total deaths)
— 9.5% less deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 54.3% (8,764 fully vaccinated)

Wdzinc // Wikimedia Commons

#27. Marion County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 342 (66 new cases, +53% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 36,834 (7,099 total cases)
— 9.1% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 446 (86 total deaths)
— 20.5% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 51.1% (9,851 fully vaccinated)

Turover // Wikimedia Commons

#26. Greenup County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 342 (120 new cases, -34% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 40,085 (14,069 total cases)
— 18.7% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 433 (152 total deaths)
— 17.0% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 53.3% (18,710 fully vaccinated)

Megangen1990 // Wikimedia Commons

#25. Muhlenberg County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 346 (106 new cases, +29% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 37,395 (11,451 total cases)
— 10.7% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 415 (127 total deaths)
— 12.2% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 52.0% (15,926 fully vaccinated)

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#24. Bell County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 350 (91 new cases, -30% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 37,181 (9,679 total cases)
— 10.1% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 618 (161 total deaths)
— 67.0% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 46.5% (12,094 fully vaccinated)

CoryClaxon // Wikimedia Commons

#23. Carter County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 351 (94 new cases, -16% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 37,433 (10,031 total cases)
— 10.8% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 414 (111 total deaths)
— 11.9% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 49.9% (13,368 fully vaccinated)

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#22. Russell County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 352 (63 new cases, +26% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 39,575 (7,093 total cases)
— 17.2% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 502 (90 total deaths)
— 35.7% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 46.5% (8,335 fully vaccinated)

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#21. Knox County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 353 (110 new cases, -33% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 41,284 (12,858 total cases)
— 22.2% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 494 (154 total deaths)
— 33.5% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 37.2% (11,571 fully vaccinated)

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#20. Hardin County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 360 (399 new cases, -12% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 34,087 (37,822 total cases)
— 0.9% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 413 (458 total deaths)
— 11.6% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 65.9% (73,109 fully vaccinated)

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#19. Menifee County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 370 (24 new cases, +60% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 29,820 (1,935 total cases)
— 11.7% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 524 (34 total deaths)
— 41.6% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 45.1% (2,925 fully vaccinated)

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#18. Elliott County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 372 (28 new cases, -20% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 39,777 (2,990 total cases)
— 17.8% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 266 (20 total deaths)
— 28.1% less deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 36.1% (2,716 fully vaccinated)

Jim.henderson // Wikimedia Commons

#17. Hopkins County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 374 (167 new cases, -4% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 37,410 (16,717 total cases)
— 10.8% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 582 (260 total deaths)
— 57.3% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 52.5% (23,481 fully vaccinated)

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#16. Powell County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 405 (50 new cases, +6% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 42,973 (5,311 total cases)
— 27.2% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 364 (45 total deaths)
— 1.6% less deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 53.5% (6,610 fully vaccinated)

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#15. Magoffin County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 411 (50 new cases, 0% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 36,551 (4,445 total cases)
— 8.2% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 452 (55 total deaths)
— 22.2% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 51.6% (6,281 fully vaccinated)

W.marsh // Wikimedia Commons

#14. Lee County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 419 (31 new cases, +35% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 42,334 (3,134 total cases)
— 25.3% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 756 (56 total deaths)
— 104.3% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 50.4% (3,728 fully vaccinated)

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#13. Clinton County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 431 (44 new cases, +69% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 39,978 (4,085 total cases)
— 18.4% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 528 (54 total deaths)
— 42.7% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 41.7% (4,265 fully vaccinated)

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#12. Wolfe County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 433 (31 new cases, +19% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 40,422 (2,893 total cases)
— 19.7% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 405 (29 total deaths)
— 9.5% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 54.5% (3,901 fully vaccinated)

w:User:Malepheasant // Wikimedia Commons

#11. Boyd County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 435 (203 new cases, -20% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 40,841 (19,080 total cases)
— 20.9% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 400 (187 total deaths)
— 8.1% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 50.2% (23,457 fully vaccinated)

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#10. Floyd County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 436 (155 new cases, -8% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 39,889 (14,196 total cases)
— 18.1% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 638 (227 total deaths)
— 72.4% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 57.8% (20,563 fully vaccinated)

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#9. Morgan County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 443 (59 new cases, +44% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 43,685 (5,814 total cases)
— 29.3% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 248 (33 total deaths)
— 33.0% less deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 48.7% (6,487 fully vaccinated)

W.marsh // Wikimedia Commons

#8. Rowan County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 499 (122 new cases, -2% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 32,065 (7,843 total cases)
— 5.1% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 303 (74 total deaths)
— 18.1% less deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 53.0% (12,961 fully vaccinated)

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#7. Letcher County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 506 (109 new cases, -8% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 37,939 (8,177 total cases)
— 12.3% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 580 (125 total deaths)
— 56.8% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 53.7% (11,582 fully vaccinated)

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#6. Breathitt County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 507 (64 new cases, +83% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 35,067 (4,429 total cases)
— 3.8% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 443 (56 total deaths)
— 19.7% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 53.4% (6,744 fully vaccinated)

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#5. Knott County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 534 (79 new cases, -1% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 33,601 (4,975 total cases)
— 0.5% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 453 (67 total deaths)
— 22.4% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 48.5% (7,177 fully vaccinated)

W.marsh // Wikimedia Commons

#4. Harlan County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 550 (143 new cases, +46% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 39,008 (10,146 total cases)
— 15.5% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 830 (216 total deaths)
— 124.3% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 47.0% (12,234 fully vaccinated)

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#3. Perry County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 730 (188 new cases, +6% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 49,907 (12,855 total cases)
— 47.8% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 738 (190 total deaths)
— 99.5% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 62.9% (16,191 fully vaccinated)

Kybluegrass // Wikimedia Commons

#2. McCreary County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 934 (161 new cases, +188% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 36,574 (6,302 total cases)
— 8.3% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 487 (84 total deaths)
— 31.6% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 39.7% (6,844 fully vaccinated)

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#1. Leslie County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 952 (94 new cases, +36% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 43,525 (4,299 total cases)
— 28.9% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 506 (50 total deaths)
— 36.8% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 53.0% (5,231 fully vaccinated)