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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 2 reached 954,163 COVID-19-related deaths and 79.1 million COVID-19 cases, according to Johns Hopkins University. Currently, 65% of the population is fully vaccinated, and 43.8% 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 1, 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.

verygreen // Wikimedia Commons

#50. Rockcastle County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 353 (59 new cases, -29% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 29,811 (4,977 total cases)
— 4.3% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 329 (55 total deaths)
— 6.1% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky

C. Bedford Crenshaw // Wikimedia Commons

#49. Lewis County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 354 (47 new cases, -33% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 33,153 (4,401 total cases)
— 16.0% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 595 (79 total deaths)
— 91.9% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky

Jim.henderson // Wikimedia Commons

#48. Hopkins County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 356 (159 new cases, -23% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 32,583 (14,560 total cases)
— 14.0% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 544 (243 total deaths)
— 75.5% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky

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#47. Powell County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 364 (45 new cases, -61% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 37,786 (4,670 total cases)
— 32.2% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 299 (37 total deaths)
— 3.5% less deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky

CoryClaxon // Wikimedia Commons

#46. Carter County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 366 (98 new cases, -58% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 31,276 (8,381 total cases)
— 9.4% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 358 (96 total deaths)
— 15.5% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky

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#45. Clinton County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 382 (39 new cases, -35% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 32,629 (3,334 total cases)
— 14.1% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 411 (42 total deaths)
— 32.6% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#44. Casey County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 390 (63 new cases, -52% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 24,228 (3,915 total cases)
— 15.3% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 408 (66 total deaths)
— 31.6% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky

Brian Stansberry // Wikimedia Commons

#43. Christian County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 397 (280 new cases, -52% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 22,363 (15,757 total cases)
— 21.8% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 278 (196 total deaths)
— 10.3% less deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#42. Knox County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 405 (126 new cases, -49% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 36,224 (11,282 total cases)
— 26.7% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 398 (124 total deaths)
— 28.4% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky

HiB2Bornot2B // Wikimedia Commons

#41. Johnson County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 406 (90 new cases, -13% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 26,321 (5,840 total cases)
— 7.9% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 428 (95 total deaths)
— 38.1% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#40. Nicholas County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 413 (30 new cases, 0% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 25,657 (1,865 total cases)
— 10.3% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 413 (30 total deaths)
— 33.2% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky

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

#39. Whitley County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 422 (153 new cases, -55% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 37,919 (13,751 total cases)
— 32.6% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 441 (160 total deaths)
— 42.3% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky

Christopher L. Riley // Wikimedia Commons

#38. Clark County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 433 (157 new cases, -28% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 27,033 (9,803 total cases)
— 5.4% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 146 (53 total deaths)
— 52.9% less deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#37. Anderson County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 435 (99 new cases, +5% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 26,988 (6,139 total cases)
— 5.6% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 273 (62 total deaths)
— 11.9% less deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky

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#36. Pulaski County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 436 (283 new cases, -27% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 24,108 (15,665 total cases)
— 15.7% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 389 (253 total deaths)
— 25.5% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky

W.marsh // Wikimedia Commons

#35. Rowan County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 437 (107 new cases, -31% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 25,969 (6,352 total cases)
— 9.2% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 217 (53 total deaths)
— 30.0% less deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#34. Lyon County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 438 (36 new cases, +24% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 33,946 (2,787 total cases)
— 18.7% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 402 (33 total deaths)
— 29.7% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky

W.marsh // Wikimedia Commons

#33. Laurel County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 441 (268 new cases, -35% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 29,961 (18,220 total cases)
— 4.8% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 331 (201 total deaths)
— 6.8% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky

W.marsh // Wikimedia Commons

#32. Harlan County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 446 (116 new cases, -39% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 34,621 (9,005 total cases)
— 21.1% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 700 (182 total deaths)
— 125.8% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky

w:User:Malepheasant // Wikimedia Commons

#31. Boyd County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 456 (213 new cases, -34% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 34,075 (15,919 total cases)
— 19.2% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 353 (165 total deaths)
— 13.9% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky

W.marsh // Wikimedia Commons

#30. Montgomery County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 469 (132 new cases, -43% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 23,323 (6,567 total cases)
— 18.4% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 309 (87 total deaths)
— 0.3% less deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky

C. Bedford Crenshaw // Wikimedia Commons

#29. Caldwell County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 486 (62 new cases, +24% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 31,019 (3,954 total cases)
— 8.5% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 455 (58 total deaths)
— 46.8% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky

W.marsh // Wikimedia Commons

#28. Jackson County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 488 (65 new cases, -34% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 31,368 (4,181 total cases)
— 9.7% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 533 (71 total deaths)
— 71.9% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky

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#27. Russell County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 491 (88 new cases, -44% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 34,101 (6,112 total cases)
— 19.3% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 441 (79 total deaths)
— 42.3% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky

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#26. Clay County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 492 (98 new cases, -41% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 38,661 (7,694 total cases)
— 35.2% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 412 (82 total deaths)
— 32.9% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky

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#25. Taylor County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 551 (142 new cases, -27% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 33,672 (8,677 total cases)
— 17.8% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 439 (113 total deaths)
— 41.6% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#24. Floyd County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 562 (200 new cases, -56% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 34,230 (12,182 total cases)
— 19.7% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 447 (159 total deaths)
— 44.2% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky

Brian Stansberry // Wikimedia Commons

#23. Butler County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 582 (75 new cases, -53% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 29,498 (3,799 total cases)
— 3.2% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 380 (49 total deaths)
— 22.6% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky

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#22. Trigg County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 601 (88 new cases, +52% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 24,019 (3,519 total cases)
— 16.0% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 280 (41 total deaths)
— 9.7% less deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky

W.marsh // Wikimedia Commons

#21. Adair County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 615 (118 new cases, -12% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 28,372 (5,448 total cases)
— 0.8% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 516 (99 total deaths)
— 66.5% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky

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#20. Letcher County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 622 (134 new cases, -31% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 31,077 (6,698 total cases)
— 8.7% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 431 (93 total deaths)
— 39.0% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky

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#19. Magoffin County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 625 (76 new cases, -16% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 30,960 (3,765 total cases)
— 8.3% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 329 (40 total deaths)
— 6.1% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky

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#18. Lawrence County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 627 (96 new cases, -19% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 28,942 (4,433 total cases)
— 1.2% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 385 (59 total deaths)
— 24.2% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky

Kybluegrass // Wikimedia Commons

#17. McCreary County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 627 (108 new cases, -32% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 29,192 (5,030 total cases)
— 2.1% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 424 (73 total deaths)
— 36.8% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky

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#16. Knott County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 642 (95 new cases, -34% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 26,935 (3,988 total cases)
— 5.8% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 371 (55 total deaths)
— 19.7% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#15. Crittenden County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 670 (59 new cases, +168% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 23,246 (2,047 total cases)
— 18.7% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 500 (44 total deaths)
— 61.3% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#14. Martin County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 670 (75 new cases, -26% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 28,593 (3,201 total cases)
— 0.0% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 402 (45 total deaths)
— 29.7% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky

W.marsh // Wikimedia Commons

#13. Bath County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 712 (89 new cases, -5% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 22,664 (2,833 total cases)
— 20.7% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 304 (38 total deaths)
— 1.9% less deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky

W.marsh // Wikimedia Commons

#12. Robertson County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 759 (16 new cases, +45% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 29,364 (619 total cases)
— 2.7% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 996 (21 total deaths)
— 221.3% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky

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#11. Elliott County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 825 (62 new cases, -49% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 29,427 (2,212 total cases)
— 2.9% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 213 (16 total deaths)
— 31.3% less deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#10. Leslie County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 850 (84 new cases, -40% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 36,084 (3,564 total cases)
— 26.2% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 395 (39 total deaths)
— 27.4% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky

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#9. Breathitt County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 871 (110 new cases, -15% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 27,799 (3,511 total cases)
— 2.8% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 396 (50 total deaths)
— 27.7% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky

JERRYE & ROY KLOTZ MD // Wikimedia Commons

#8. Wayne County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 885 (180 new cases, -1% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 24,856 (5,054 total cases)
— 13.1% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 423 (86 total deaths)
— 36.5% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky

W.marsh // Wikimedia Commons

#7. Lee County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 892 (66 new cases, -73% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 38,268 (2,833 total cases)
— 33.8% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 621 (46 total deaths)
— 100.3% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky

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#6. Pike County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 916 (530 new cases, -6% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 30,643 (17,735 total cases)
— 7.2% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 429 (248 total deaths)
— 38.4% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky

JERRYE & ROY KLOTZ MD // Wikimedia Commons

#5. Owsley County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 929 (41 new cases, -20% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 34,790 (1,536 total cases)
— 21.7% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 521 (23 total deaths)
— 68.1% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky

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#4. Menifee County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 1,125 (73 new cases, 0% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 22,654 (1,470 total cases)
— 20.8% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 462 (30 total deaths)
— 49.0% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky

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#3. Wolfe County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 1,244 (89 new cases, 0% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 32,793 (2,347 total cases)
— 14.7% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 252 (18 total deaths)
— 18.7% less deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky

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#2. Morgan County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 1,300 (173 new cases, +15% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 34,413 (4,580 total cases)
— 20.4% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 128 (17 total deaths)
— 58.7% less deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#1. Perry County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 1,336 (344 new cases, -18% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 40,182 (10,350 total cases)
— 40.5% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 563 (145 total deaths)
— 81.6% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky