JERRYE & ROY KLOTZ MD // 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. 20 reached 989,573 COVID-19-related deaths and 80.7 million COVID-19 cases, according to Johns Hopkins University. Currently, 66% 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. 19, 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.

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#50. Floyd County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 22 (8 new cases, +60% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 35,185 (12,522 total cases)
— 18.8% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 514 (183 total deaths)
— 49.9% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 57.1% (20,316 fully vaccinated)

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#49. Gallatin County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 23 (2 new cases, 0% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 24,952 (2,213 total cases)
— 15.7% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 541 (48 total deaths)
— 57.7% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 41.2% (3,654 fully vaccinated)

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#48. Crittenden County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 23 (2 new cases, 0% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 25,971 (2,287 total cases)
— 12.3% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 534 (47 total deaths)
— 55.7% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 40.9% (3,605 fully vaccinated)

Greg5030 // Wikimedia Commons

#47. Mason County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 23 (4 new cases, +300% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 28,243 (4,821 total cases)
— 4.6% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 603 (103 total deaths)
— 75.8% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 50.9% (8,693 fully vaccinated)

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

#46. Madison County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 24 (22 new cases, +144% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 29,789 (27,700 total cases)
— 0.6% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 291 (271 total deaths)
— 15.2% less deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 48.0% (44,588 fully vaccinated)

W.marsh // Wikimedia Commons

#45. Bourbon County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 25 (5 new cases, 0% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 30,134 (5,963 total cases)
— 1.8% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 278 (55 total deaths)
— 19.0% less deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 58.1% (11,487 fully vaccinated)

W.marsh // Wikimedia Commons

#44. Pendleton County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 27 (4 new cases, 0% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 23,859 (3,481 total cases)
— 19.4% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 260 (38 total deaths)
— 24.2% less deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 44.1% (6,436 fully vaccinated)

HiB2Bornot2B // Wikimedia Commons

#43. Johnson County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 27 (6 new cases, +500% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 27,294 (6,056 total cases)
— 7.8% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 478 (106 total deaths)
— 39.4% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 50.3% (11,162 fully vaccinated)

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#42. Mercer County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 27 (6 new cases, +200% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 33,511 (7,350 total cases)
— 13.2% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 470 (103 total deaths)
— 37.0% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 54.5% (11,952 fully vaccinated)

W.marsh // Wikimedia Commons

#41. Lee County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 27 (2 new cases, -33% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 39,714 (2,940 total cases)
— 34.1% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 662 (49 total deaths)
— 93.0% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 49.9% (3,694 fully vaccinated)

W.marsh // Wikimedia Commons

#40. Bullitt County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 28 (23 new cases, +188% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 26,262 (21,450 total cases)
— 11.3% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 260 (212 total deaths)
— 24.2% less deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 45.4% (37,097 fully vaccinated)

W.marsh // Wikimedia Commons

#39. Montgomery County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 28 (8 new cases, +100% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 27,031 (7,611 total cases)
— 8.7% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 334 (94 total deaths)
— 2.6% less deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 46.6% (13,123 fully vaccinated)

W.marsh // Wikimedia Commons

#38. Garrard County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 28 (5 new cases, 0% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 27,176 (4,801 total cases)
— 8.2% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 425 (75 total deaths)
— 23.9% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 48.2% (8,523 fully vaccinated)

Smceuen // Wikimedia Commons

#37. Carroll County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 28 (3 new cases, +200% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 32,894 (3,497 total cases)
— 11.1% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 414 (44 total deaths)
— 20.7% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 46.6% (4,956 fully vaccinated)

Joel Bradshaw // Wikimedia Commons

#36. Ohio County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 29 (7 new cases, 0% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 30,466 (7,310 total cases)
— 2.9% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 417 (100 total deaths)
— 21.6% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 39.7% (9,530 fully vaccinated)

Kybluegrass // Wikimedia Commons

#35. McCreary County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 29 (5 new cases, +400% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 33,184 (5,718 total cases)
— 12.1% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 435 (75 total deaths)
— 26.8% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 39.2% (6,754 fully vaccinated)

Christopher L. Riley // Wikimedia Commons

#34. Clark County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 30 (11 new cases, +1,000% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 28,914 (10,485 total cases)
— 2.4% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 176 (64 total deaths)
— 48.7% less deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 54.6% (19,807 fully vaccinated)

Huw Williams (Huwmanbeing) // Wikimedia Commons

#33. Grayson County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 30 (8 new cases, +700% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 30,647 (8,099 total cases)
— 3.5% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 477 (126 total deaths)
— 39.1% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 51.3% (13,569 fully vaccinated)

W.marsh // Wikimedia Commons

#32. Jackson County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 30 (4 new cases, 0% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 32,080 (4,276 total cases)
— 8.3% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 578 (77 total deaths)
— 68.5% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 36.6% (4,883 fully vaccinated)

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#31. Cumberland County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 30 (2 new cases, 0% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 33,747 (2,232 total cases)
— 14.0% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 469 (31 total deaths)
— 36.7% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 44.6% (2,952 fully vaccinated)

Murray State // Wikimedia Commons

#30. Calloway County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 31 (12 new cases, +1,100% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 20,823 (8,121 total cases)
— 29.7% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 233 (91 total deaths)
— 32.1% less deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 45.6% (17,784 fully vaccinated)

W.marsh // Wikimedia Commons

#29. Adair County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 31 (6 new cases, +500% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 30,762 (5,907 total cases)
— 3.9% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 536 (103 total deaths)
— 56.3% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 39.3% (7,551 fully vaccinated)

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#28. Breathitt County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 32 (4 new cases, 0% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 29,905 (3,777 total cases)
— 1.0% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 404 (51 total deaths)
— 17.8% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 52.7% (6,653 fully vaccinated)

W.marsh // Wikimedia Commons

#27. Rowan County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 33 (8 new cases, +700% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 27,269 (6,670 total cases)
— 7.9% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 258 (63 total deaths)
— 24.8% less deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 52.2% (12,774 fully vaccinated)

Christopher L. Riley // Wikimedia Commons

#26. Jessamine County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 33 (18 new cases, +260% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 27,994 (15,149 total cases)
— 5.5% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 249 (135 total deaths)
— 27.4% less deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 53.8% (29,113 fully vaccinated)

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#25. McLean County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 33 (3 new cases, +200% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 28,402 (2,615 total cases)
— 4.1% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 554 (51 total deaths)
— 61.5% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 51.0% (4,700 fully vaccinated)

JERRYE & ROY KLOTZ MD // Wikimedia Commons

#24. Wayne County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 34 (7 new cases, 0% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 29,868 (6,073 total cases)
— 0.9% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 443 (90 total deaths)
— 29.2% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 42.0% (8,543 fully vaccinated)

W.marsh // Wikimedia Commons

#23. Scott County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 35 (20 new cases, +567% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 30,245 (17,241 total cases)
— 2.1% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 181 (103 total deaths)
— 47.2% less deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 55.7% (31,771 fully vaccinated)

Megangen1990 // Wikimedia Commons

#22. Muhlenberg County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 36 (11 new cases, +267% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 33,175 (10,159 total cases)
— 12.0% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 392 (120 total deaths)
— 14.3% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 51.0% (15,630 fully vaccinated)

Jim.henderson // Wikimedia Commons

#21. Hopkins County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 36 (16 new cases, +1,500% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 33,415 (14,932 total cases)
— 12.8% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 557 (249 total deaths)
— 62.4% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 51.7% (23,121 fully vaccinated)

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#20. Henry County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 37 (6 new cases, 0% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 29,567 (4,768 total cases)
— 0.2% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 298 (48 total deaths)
— 13.1% less deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 53.8% (8,677 fully vaccinated)

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#19. Hardin County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 40 (44 new cases, +340% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 29,339 (32,554 total cases)
— 0.9% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 380 (422 total deaths)
— 10.8% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 62.8% (69,729 fully vaccinated)

Chris Light // Wikimedia Commons

#18. Nelson County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 41 (19 new cases, +280% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 31,229 (14,438 total cases)
— 5.5% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 322 (149 total deaths)
— 6.1% less deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 52.3% (24,171 fully vaccinated)

CoryClaxon // Wikimedia Commons

#17. Carter County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 49 (13 new cases, +160% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 32,179 (8,623 total cases)
— 8.7% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 392 (105 total deaths)
— 14.3% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 49.2% (13,189 fully vaccinated)

Christopher L. Riley // Wikimedia Commons

#16. Fayette County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 50 (163 new cases, +104% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 29,340 (94,814 total cases)
— 0.9% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 181 (584 total deaths)
— 47.2% less deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 66.6% (215,259 fully vaccinated)

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#15. Pike County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 54 (31 new cases, +121% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 32,767 (18,964 total cases)
— 10.7% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 501 (290 total deaths)
— 46.1% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 52.8% (30,577 fully vaccinated)

Greg5030 // Wikimedia Commons

#14. Kenton County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 56 (94 new cases, +944% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 25,253 (42,172 total cases)
— 14.7% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 234 (391 total deaths)
— 31.8% less deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 60.4% (100,919 fully vaccinated)

W.marsh // Wikimedia Commons

#13. Woodford County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 56 (15 new cases, +200% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 25,671 (6,863 total cases)
— 13.3% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 180 (48 total deaths)
— 47.5% less deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 66.1% (17,671 fully vaccinated)

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#12. Wolfe County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 56 (4 new cases, +100% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 35,266 (2,524 total cases)
— 19.1% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 307 (22 total deaths)
— 10.5% less deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 53.8% (3,853 fully vaccinated)

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#11. Powell County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 57 (7 new cases, +250% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 38,498 (4,758 total cases)
— 30.0% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 340 (42 total deaths)
— 0.9% less deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 52.8% (6,528 fully vaccinated)

Brian Stansberry // Wikimedia Commons

#10. Washington County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 58 (7 new cases, 0% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 32,559 (3,938 total cases)
— 10.0% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 488 (59 total deaths)
— 42.3% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 51.0% (6,173 fully vaccinated)

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#9. Trimble County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 59 (5 new cases, +400% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 26,065 (2,208 total cases)
— 12.0% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 460 (39 total deaths)
— 34.1% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 43.7% (3,706 fully vaccinated)

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#8. Knott County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 61 (9 new cases, +125% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 28,468 (4,215 total cases)
— 3.9% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 419 (62 total deaths)
— 22.2% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 47.9% (7,087 fully vaccinated)

w:User:Malepheasant // Wikimedia Commons

#7. Boyd County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 62 (29 new cases, +383% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 34,867 (16,289 total cases)
— 17.7% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 372 (174 total deaths)
— 8.5% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 49.2% (22,968 fully vaccinated)

Rdikeman // Wikimedia Commons

#6. Campbell County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 66 (62 new cases, +675% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 24,630 (23,050 total cases)
— 16.8% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 175 (164 total deaths)
— 49.0% less deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 63.7% (59,619 fully vaccinated)

Chris Watson // Wikicommons

#5. Jefferson County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 68 (518 new cases, +207% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 29,363 (225,145 total cases)
— 0.8% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 298 (2,283 total deaths)
— 13.1% less deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 63.9% (489,966 fully vaccinated)

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#4. Morgan County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 68 (9 new cases, +800% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 38,230 (5,088 total cases)
— 29.1% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 165 (22 total deaths)
— 51.9% less deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 48.2% (6,420 fully vaccinated)

w.marsh // Wikimedia Commons

#3. Henderson County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 95 (43 new cases, +207% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 30,688 (13,874 total cases)
— 3.6% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 352 (159 total deaths)
— 2.6% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 51.0% (23,071 fully vaccinated)

Ryan Emmick // Wikimedia Commons

#2. Hancock County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 115 (10 new cases, 0% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 28,514 (2,487 total cases)
— 3.7% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 275 (24 total deaths)
— 19.8% less deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 59.2% (5,162 fully vaccinated)

JERRYE & ROY KLOTZ MD // Wikimedia Commons

#1. Franklin County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 161 (82 new cases, +720% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 27,066 (13,801 total cases)
— 8.6% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 284 (145 total deaths)
— 17.2% less deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 61.4% (31,287 fully vaccinated)