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 Apr. 6 reached 983,229 COVID-19-related deaths and 80.2 million COVID-19 cases, according to Johns Hopkins University. Currently, 65.6% of the population is fully vaccinated, and 45% 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 Apr. 5, 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.

Bfreas // Wikimedia Commons

#50. Simpson County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 0 (0 new cases, 0% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 30,218 (5,612 total cases)
— 2.6% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 479 (89 total deaths)
— 42.6% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 50.3% (9,351 fully vaccinated)

Joel Bradshaw // Wikimedia Commons

#49. Ohio County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 0 (0 new cases, -100% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 30,420 (7,299 total cases)
— 3.2% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 417 (100 total deaths)
— 24.1% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 39.6% (9,512 fully vaccinated)

Paul Sableman // Wikimedia Commons

#48. Graves County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 0 (0 new cases, -100% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 30,425 (11,338 total cases)
— 3.3% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 472 (176 total deaths)
— 40.5% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 45.4% (16,917 fully vaccinated)

w.marsh // Wikimedia Commons

#47. Henderson County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 0 (0 new cases, -100% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 30,507 (13,792 total cases)
— 3.5% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 352 (159 total deaths)
— 4.8% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 50.8% (22,953 fully vaccinated)

Farragutful // Wikimedia Commons

#46. Daviess County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 0 (0 new cases, -100% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 30,543 (31,004 total cases)
— 3.7% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 375 (381 total deaths)
— 11.6% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 54.1% (54,913 fully vaccinated)

W.marsh // Wikimedia Commons

#45. Adair County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 0 (0 new cases, -100% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 30,544 (5,865 total cases)
— 3.7% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 536 (103 total deaths)
— 59.5% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 39.2% (7,534 fully vaccinated)

Huw Williams (Huwmanbeing) // Wikimedia Commons

#44. Grayson County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 0 (0 new cases, -100% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 30,696 (8,112 total cases)
— 4.2% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 477 (126 total deaths)
— 42.0% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 51.2% (13,521 fully vaccinated)

Bedford // Wikimedia Commons

#43. Logan County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 0 (0 new cases, -100% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 30,773 (8,340 total cases)
— 4.4% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 454 (123 total deaths)
— 35.1% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 50.7% (13,747 fully vaccinated)

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#42. Allen County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 0 (0 new cases, -100% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 30,856 (6,577 total cases)
— 4.7% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 455 (97 total deaths)
— 35.4% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 39.5% (8,424 fully vaccinated)

Chris Light // Wikimedia Commons

#41. Nelson County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 0 (0 new cases, -100% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 31,138 (14,396 total cases)
— 5.7% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 322 (149 total deaths)
— 4.2% less deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 51.9% (23,989 fully vaccinated)

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#40. Elliott County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 0 (0 new cases, -100% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 31,595 (2,375 total cases)
— 7.2% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 239 (18 total deaths)
— 28.9% less deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 35.5% (2,672 fully vaccinated)

W.marsh // Wikimedia Commons

#39. Laurel County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 0 (0 new cases, -100% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 31,871 (19,382 total cases)
— 8.2% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 362 (220 total deaths)
— 7.7% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 40.4% (24,557 fully vaccinated)

W.marsh // Wikimedia Commons

#38. Jackson County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 0 (0 new cases, -100% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 32,035 (4,270 total cases)
— 8.7% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 578 (77 total deaths)
— 72.0% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 36.6% (4,872 fully vaccinated)

CoryClaxon // Wikimedia Commons

#37. Carter County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 0 (0 new cases, -100% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 32,060 (8,591 total cases)
— 8.8% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 392 (105 total deaths)
— 16.7% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 49.1% (13,146 fully vaccinated)

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#36. Magoffin County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 0 (0 new cases, -100% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 32,152 (3,910 total cases)
— 9.1% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 395 (48 total deaths)
— 17.6% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 51.1% (6,213 fully vaccinated)

OPMaster // Wikimedia Commons

#35. Warren County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 0 (0 new cases, -100% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 32,226 (42,827 total cases)
— 9.4% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 272 (361 total deaths)
— 19.0% less deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 38.5% (51,219 fully vaccinated)

Brian Stansberry // Wikimedia Commons

#34. Washington County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 0 (0 new cases, -100% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 32,336 (3,911 total cases)
— 9.7% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 488 (59 total deaths)
— 45.2% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 50.8% (6,140 fully vaccinated)

C. Bedford Crenshaw // Wikimedia Commons

#33. Caldwell County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 0 (0 new cases, -100% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 32,447 (4,136 total cases)
— 10.1% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 463 (59 total deaths)
— 37.8% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 52.1% (6,645 fully vaccinated)

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#32. Pike County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 0 (0 new cases, -100% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 32,609 (18,873 total cases)
— 10.7% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 501 (290 total deaths)
— 49.1% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 52.7% (30,502 fully vaccinated)

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#31. Letcher County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 0 (0 new cases, -100% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 32,738 (7,056 total cases)
— 11.1% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 487 (105 total deaths)
— 44.9% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 53.0% (11,430 fully vaccinated)

Smceuen // Wikimedia Commons

#30. Carroll County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 0 (0 new cases, -100% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 32,791 (3,486 total cases)
— 11.3% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 414 (44 total deaths)
— 23.2% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 46.5% (4,944 fully vaccinated)

Brian Stansberry // Wikimedia Commons

#29. Harrison County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 0 (0 new cases, -100% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 33,030 (6,238 total cases)
— 12.1% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 365 (69 total deaths)
— 8.6% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 50.0% (9,442 fully vaccinated)

Kybluegrass // Wikimedia Commons

#28. McCreary County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 0 (0 new cases, -100% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 33,051 (5,695 total cases)
— 12.2% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 435 (75 total deaths)
— 29.5% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 39.1% (6,734 fully vaccinated)

Megangen1990 // Wikimedia Commons

#27. Muhlenberg County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 0 (0 new cases, -100% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 33,084 (10,131 total cases)
— 12.3% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 392 (120 total deaths)
— 16.7% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 50.9% (15,583 fully vaccinated)

Wdzinc // Wikimedia Commons

#26. Marion County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 0 (0 new cases, -100% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 33,140 (6,387 total cases)
— 12.5% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 425 (82 total deaths)
— 26.5% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 50.3% (9,699 fully vaccinated)

Jim.henderson // Wikimedia Commons

#25. Hopkins County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 0 (0 new cases, -100% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 33,353 (14,904 total cases)
— 13.2% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 557 (249 total deaths)
— 65.8% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 51.5% (23,034 fully vaccinated)

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#24. Mercer County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 0 (0 new cases, -100% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 33,415 (7,329 total cases)
— 13.4% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 470 (103 total deaths)
— 39.9% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 54.3% (11,906 fully vaccinated)

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#23. Cumberland County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 0 (0 new cases, -100% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 33,535 (2,218 total cases)
— 13.8% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 469 (31 total deaths)
— 39.6% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 44.5% (2,944 fully vaccinated)

C. Bedford Crenshaw // Wikimedia Commons

#22. Lewis County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 0 (0 new cases, -100% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 33,928 (4,504 total cases)
— 15.2% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 633 (84 total deaths)
— 88.4% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 39.0% (5,173 fully vaccinated)

Brian Stansberry // Wikimedia Commons

#21. Monroe County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 0 (0 new cases, -100% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 33,953 (3,616 total cases)
— 15.2% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 714 (76 total deaths)
— 112.5% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 46.1% (4,905 fully vaccinated)

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#20. Bell County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 0 (0 new cases, -100% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 33,985 (8,847 total cases)
— 15.3% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 549 (143 total deaths)
— 63.4% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 45.6% (11,872 fully vaccinated)

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#19. Green County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 0 (0 new cases, 0% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 34,001 (3,720 total cases)
— 15.4% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 402 (44 total deaths)
— 19.6% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 43.6% (4,773 fully vaccinated)

Turover // Wikimedia Commons

#18. Greenup County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 0 (0 new cases, -100% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 34,264 (12,026 total cases)
— 16.3% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 399 (140 total deaths)
— 18.8% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 51.9% (18,227 fully vaccinated)

w:User:Malepheasant // Wikimedia Commons

#17. Boyd County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 0 (0 new cases, -100% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 34,770 (16,244 total cases)
— 18.0% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 372 (174 total deaths)
— 10.7% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 48.9% (22,856 fully vaccinated)

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#16. Lyon County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 0 (0 new cases, -100% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 34,945 (2,869 total cases)
— 18.6% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 402 (33 total deaths)
— 19.6% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 58.3% (4,784 fully vaccinated)

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#15. Wolfe County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 0 (0 new cases, -100% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 34,987 (2,504 total cases)
— 18.7% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 307 (22 total deaths)
— 8.6% less deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 53.8% (3,847 fully vaccinated)

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#14. Floyd County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 0 (0 new cases, -100% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 35,123 (12,500 total cases)
— 19.2% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 514 (183 total deaths)
— 53.0% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 57.0% (20,282 fully vaccinated)

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#13. Clinton County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 0 (0 new cases, -100% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 35,261 (3,603 total cases)
— 19.7% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 499 (51 total deaths)
— 48.5% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 40.6% (4,149 fully vaccinated)

W.marsh // Wikimedia Commons

#12. Harlan County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 0 (0 new cases, -100% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 35,367 (9,199 total cases)
— 20.0% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 773 (201 total deaths)
— 130.1% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 46.2% (12,023 fully vaccinated)

JERRYE & ROY KLOTZ MD // Wikimedia Commons

#11. Owsley County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 0 (0 new cases, -100% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 35,629 (1,573 total cases)
— 20.9% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 566 (25 total deaths)
— 68.5% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 47.4% (2,094 fully vaccinated)

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#10. Russell County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 0 (0 new cases, -100% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 35,731 (6,404 total cases)
— 21.3% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 480 (86 total deaths)
— 42.9% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 45.7% (8,193 fully vaccinated)

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#9. Taylor County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 0 (0 new cases, -100% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 35,907 (9,253 total cases)
— 21.9% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 458 (118 total deaths)
— 36.3% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 48.0% (12,365 fully vaccinated)

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#8. Knox County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 0 (0 new cases, -100% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 36,863 (11,481 total cases)
— 25.1% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 430 (134 total deaths)
— 28.0% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 36.4% (11,325 fully vaccinated)

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#7. Morgan County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 0 (0 new cases, -100% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 37,238 (4,956 total cases)
— 26.4% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 165 (22 total deaths)
— 50.9% less deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 48.1% (6,406 fully vaccinated)

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#6. Leslie County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 0 (0 new cases, -100% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 37,501 (3,704 total cases)
— 27.3% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 466 (46 total deaths)
— 38.7% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 52.0% (5,137 fully vaccinated)

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#5. Powell County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 0 (0 new cases, -100% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 38,425 (4,749 total cases)
— 30.4% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 340 (42 total deaths)
— 1.2% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 52.6% (6,497 fully vaccinated)

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

#4. Whitley County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 0 (0 new cases, -100% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 39,331 (14,263 total cases)
— 33.5% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 507 (184 total deaths)
— 50.9% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 44.2% (16,030 fully vaccinated)

W.marsh // Wikimedia Commons

#3. Lee County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 0 (0 new cases, -100% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 39,443 (2,920 total cases)
— 33.9% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 662 (49 total deaths)
— 97.0% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 49.8% (3,684 fully vaccinated)

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#2. Clay County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 0 (0 new cases, -100% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 39,480 (7,857 total cases)
— 34.0% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 452 (90 total deaths)
— 34.5% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 44.3% (8,816 fully vaccinated)

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#1. Perry County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 0 (0 new cases, -100% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 42,224 (10,876 total cases)
— 43.3% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 641 (165 total deaths)
— 90.8% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 62.1% (15,984 fully vaccinated)