Chris Watson // Wikicommons

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 May 4 reached 996,145 COVID-19-related deaths and 81.5 million COVID-19 cases, according to Johns Hopkins University. Currently, 66.2% of the population is fully vaccinated, and 45.9% 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 May 3, 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. Mercer County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 32 (7 new cases, +250% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 33,602 (7,370 total cases)
— 12.9% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 479 (105 total deaths)
— 37.2% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 54.6% (11,984 fully vaccinated)

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#49. Gallatin County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 34 (3 new cases, 0% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 24,997 (2,217 total cases)
— 16.0% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 552 (49 total deaths)
— 58.2% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 41.2% (3,658 fully vaccinated)

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#48. Knott County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 34 (5 new cases, +400% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 28,549 (4,227 total cases)
— 4.1% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 426 (63 total deaths)
— 22.1% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 48.0% (7,106 fully vaccinated)

Ryan Emmick // Wikimedia Commons

#47. Hancock County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 34 (3 new cases, +200% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 28,594 (2,494 total cases)
— 3.9% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 275 (24 total deaths)
— 21.2% less deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 59.4% (5,177 fully vaccinated)

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#46. Hardin County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 35 (39 new cases, +333% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 29,408 (32,630 total cases)
— 1.2% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 388 (431 total deaths)
— 11.2% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 63.0% (69,911 fully vaccinated)

Chris Light // Wikimedia Commons

#45. Nelson County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 35 (16 new cases, +433% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 31,274 (14,459 total cases)
— 5.1% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 329 (152 total deaths)
— 5.7% less deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 52.4% (24,228 fully vaccinated)

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#44. Grant County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 36 (9 new cases, 0% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 28,473 (7,138 total cases)
— 4.3% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 223 (56 total deaths)
— 36.1% less deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 49.1% (12,306 fully vaccinated)

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#43. Martin County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 36 (4 new cases, +300% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 29,504 (3,303 total cases)
— 0.9% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 438 (49 total deaths)
— 25.5% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 54.2% (6,073 fully vaccinated)

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

#42. Madison County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 37 (34 new cases, +209% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 29,805 (27,715 total cases)
— 0.2% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 300 (279 total deaths)
— 14.0% less deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 48.1% (44,692 fully vaccinated)

Jim.henderson // Wikimedia Commons

#41. Hopkins County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 38 (17 new cases, +325% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 33,474 (14,958 total cases)
— 12.5% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 559 (250 total deaths)
— 60.2% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 51.9% (23,174 fully vaccinated)

Greg5030 // Wikimedia Commons

#40. Kenton County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 39 (65 new cases, +622% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 25,388 (42,397 total cases)
— 14.7% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 241 (402 total deaths)
— 30.9% less deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 60.6% (101,169 fully vaccinated)

W.marsh // Wikimedia Commons

#39. Boone County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 39 (52 new cases, +247% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 28,065 (37,490 total cases)
— 5.7% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 213 (284 total deaths)
— 39.0% less deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 62.3% (83,242 fully vaccinated)

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#38. Taylor County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 39 (10 new cases, 0% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 36,796 (9,482 total cases)
— 23.7% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 466 (120 total deaths)
— 33.5% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 48.2% (12,414 fully vaccinated)

HiB2Bornot2B // Wikimedia Commons

#37. Johnson County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 41 (9 new cases, 0% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 27,646 (6,134 total cases)
— 7.1% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 509 (113 total deaths)
— 45.8% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 50.4% (11,184 fully vaccinated)

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#36. Nicholas County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 41 (3 new cases, 0% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 28,876 (2,099 total cases)
— 3.0% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 426 (31 total deaths)
— 22.1% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 53.1% (3,862 fully vaccinated)

Brian Stansberry // Wikimedia Commons

#35. Washington County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 41 (5 new cases, +400% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 32,666 (3,951 total cases)
— 9.8% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 504 (61 total deaths)
— 44.4% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 51.2% (6,191 fully vaccinated)

w:User:Malepheasant // Wikimedia Commons

#34. Boyd County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 41 (19 new cases, +533% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 34,942 (16,324 total cases)
— 17.4% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 377 (176 total deaths)
— 8.0% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 49.3% (23,041 fully vaccinated)

Wdzinc // Wikimedia Commons

#33. Marion County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 42 (8 new cases, 0% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 33,311 (6,420 total cases)
— 11.9% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 425 (82 total deaths)
— 21.8% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 50.6% (9,746 fully vaccinated)

JERRYE & ROY KLOTZ MD // Wikimedia Commons

#32. Franklin County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 43 (22 new cases, +633% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 27,154 (13,846 total cases)
— 8.7% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 296 (151 total deaths)
— 15.2% less deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 61.5% (31,364 fully vaccinated)

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

#31. Lincoln County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 45 (11 new cases, 0% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 26,339 (6,466 total cases)
— 11.5% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 542 (133 total deaths)
— 55.3% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 41.0% (10,069 fully vaccinated)

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#30. Cumberland County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 45 (3 new cases, +50% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 33,837 (2,238 total cases)
— 13.7% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 469 (31 total deaths)
— 34.4% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 44.8% (2,966 fully vaccinated)

C. Bedford Crenshaw // Wikimedia Commons

#29. Lewis County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 45 (6 new cases, 0% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 34,079 (4,524 total cases)
— 14.5% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 633 (84 total deaths)
— 81.4% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 39.2% (5,201 fully vaccinated)

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#28. Menifee County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 46 (3 new cases, 0% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 26,229 (1,702 total cases)
— 11.9% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 493 (32 total deaths)
— 41.3% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 44.5% (2,888 fully vaccinated)

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#27. Spencer County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 47 (9 new cases, +800% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 27,663 (5,353 total cases)
— 7.0% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 305 (59 total deaths)
— 12.6% less deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 30.1% (5,826 fully vaccinated)

W.marsh // Wikimedia Commons

#26. Robertson County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 47 (1 new cases, 0% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 31,641 (667 total cases)
— 6.3% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 996 (21 total deaths)
— 185.4% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 38.7% (815 fully vaccinated)

Turover // Wikimedia Commons

#25. Greenup County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 48 (17 new cases, +325% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 34,389 (12,070 total cases)
— 15.6% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 407 (143 total deaths)
— 16.6% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 52.3% (18,373 fully vaccinated)

W.marsh // Wikimedia Commons

#24. Shelby County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 49 (24 new cases, +243% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 27,205 (13,337 total cases)
— 8.6% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 326 (160 total deaths)
— 6.6% less deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 47.0% (23,039 fully vaccinated)

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#23. Lyon County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 49 (4 new cases, 0% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 34,957 (2,870 total cases)
— 17.5% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 414 (34 total deaths)
— 18.6% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 58.4% (4,796 fully vaccinated)

W.marsh // Wikimedia Commons

#22. Bourbon County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 51 (10 new cases, +400% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 30,256 (5,987 total cases)
— 1.7% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 283 (56 total deaths)
— 18.9% less deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 58.2% (11,510 fully vaccinated)

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#21. Floyd County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 51 (18 new cases, +500% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 35,250 (12,545 total cases)
— 18.5% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 545 (194 total deaths)
— 56.2% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 57.2% (20,355 fully vaccinated)

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#20. Livingston County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 54 (5 new cases, 0% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 26,920 (2,475 total cases)
— 9.5% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 663 (61 total deaths)
— 90.0% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 49.5% (4,548 fully vaccinated)

W.marsh // Wikimedia Commons

#19. Oldham County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 55 (37 new cases, +1,133% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 27,524 (18,386 total cases)
— 7.5% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 211 (141 total deaths)
— 39.5% less deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 57.4% (38,352 fully vaccinated)

C. Bedford Crenshaw // Wikimedia Commons

#18. Caldwell County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 55 (7 new cases, +600% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 32,439 (4,135 total cases)
— 9.0% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 463 (59 total deaths)
— 32.7% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 52.4% (6,677 fully vaccinated)

Rdikeman // Wikimedia Commons

#17. Campbell County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 57 (53 new cases, +657% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 24,779 (23,189 total cases)
— 16.7% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 183 (171 total deaths)
— 47.6% less deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 63.8% (59,746 fully vaccinated)

Christopher L. Riley // Wikimedia Commons

#16. Jessamine County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 57 (31 new cases, +933% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 28,133 (15,224 total cases)
— 5.5% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 253 (137 total deaths)
— 27.5% less deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 53.9% (29,190 fully vaccinated)

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#15. Powell County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 57 (7 new cases, +600% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 38,612 (4,772 total cases)
— 29.8% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 340 (42 total deaths)
— 2.6% less deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 52.9% (6,542 fully vaccinated)

W.marsh // Wikimedia Commons

#14. Bullitt County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 66 (54 new cases, +260% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 26,519 (21,660 total cases)
— 10.9% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 267 (218 total deaths)
— 23.5% less deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 45.5% (37,183 fully vaccinated)

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#13. Magoffin County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 66 (8 new cases, +700% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 32,349 (3,934 total cases)
— 8.7% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 419 (51 total deaths)
— 20.1% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 51.3% (6,240 fully vaccinated)

W.marsh // Wikimedia Commons

#12. Woodford County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 67 (18 new cases, +1,700% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 25,892 (6,922 total cases)
— 13.0% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 180 (48 total deaths)
— 48.4% less deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 66.3% (17,721 fully vaccinated)

w.marsh // Wikimedia Commons

#11. Henderson County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 73 (33 new cases, +1,000% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 30,814 (13,931 total cases)
— 3.6% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 365 (165 total deaths)
— 4.6% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 51.2% (23,167 fully vaccinated)

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#10. Green County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 73 (8 new cases, +700% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 34,284 (3,751 total cases)
— 15.2% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 411 (45 total deaths)
— 17.8% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 43.8% (4,790 fully vaccinated)

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#9. Pike County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 74 (43 new cases, +4,200% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 32,884 (19,032 total cases)
— 10.5% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 515 (298 total deaths)
— 47.6% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 52.9% (30,621 fully vaccinated)

W.marsh // Wikimedia Commons

#8. Scott County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 75 (43 new cases, +514% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 30,736 (17,521 total cases)
— 3.3% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 184 (105 total deaths)
— 47.3% less deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 55.8% (31,825 fully vaccinated)

W.marsh // Wikimedia Commons

#7. Bath County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 80 (10 new cases, 0% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 25,584 (3,198 total cases)
— 14.0% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 352 (44 total deaths)
— 0.9% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 54.1% (6,762 fully vaccinated)

Christopher L. Riley // Wikimedia Commons

#6. Clark County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 80 (29 new cases, +1,350% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 29,349 (10,643 total cases)
— 1.4% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 182 (66 total deaths)
— 47.9% less deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 54.8% (19,858 fully vaccinated)

Calvin Beale // Wikimedia Commons

#5. Fulton County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 84 (5 new cases, 0% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 20,389 (1,217 total cases)
— 31.5% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 486 (29 total deaths)
— 39.3% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 59.0% (3,523 fully vaccinated)

Greg5030 // Wikimedia Commons

#4. Mason County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 88 (15 new cases, 0% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 28,928 (4,938 total cases)
— 2.8% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 609 (104 total deaths)
— 74.5% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 51.0% (8,712 fully vaccinated)

Christopher L. Riley // Wikimedia Commons

#3. Fayette County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 110 (354 new cases, +911% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 29,508 (95,357 total cases)
— 0.8% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 185 (599 total deaths)
— 47.0% less deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 66.8% (215,789 fully vaccinated)

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#2. Henry County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 124 (20 new cases, +567% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 29,716 (4,792 total cases)
— 0.1% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 310 (50 total deaths)
— 11.2% less deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 53.9% (8,694 fully vaccinated)

Chris Watson // Wikicommons

#1. Jefferson County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 138 (1,058 new cases, +583% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 29,542 (226,513 total cases)
— 0.7% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 304 (2,332 total deaths)
— 12.9% less deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 64.1% (491,464 fully vaccinated)