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 11 reached 998,305 COVID-19-related deaths and 82.1 million COVID-19 cases, according to Johns Hopkins University. Currently, 66.3% of the population is fully vaccinated, and 46.1% 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 10, 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. Knox County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 39 (12 new cases, +140% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 36,985 (11,519 total cases)
— 23.9% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 462 (144 total deaths)
— 30.9% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 36.6% (11,399 fully vaccinated)

W.marsh // Wikimedia Commons

#49. Garrard County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 40 (7 new cases, +133% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 27,261 (4,816 total cases)
— 8.7% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 442 (78 total deaths)
— 25.2% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 48.4% (8,543 fully vaccinated)

OPMaster // Wikimedia Commons

#48. Warren County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 41 (54 new cases, +38% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 32,410 (43,072 total cases)
— 8.6% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 280 (372 total deaths)
— 20.7% less deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 38.8% (51,524 fully vaccinated)

Brian Stansberry // Wikimedia Commons

#47. Washington County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 41 (5 new cases, 0% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 32,708 (3,956 total cases)
— 9.6% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 504 (61 total deaths)
— 42.8% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 51.2% (6,194 fully vaccinated)

W.marsh // Wikimedia Commons

#46. Larue County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 42 (6 new cases, 0% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 25,962 (3,738 total cases)
— 13.0% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 507 (73 total deaths)
— 43.6% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 43.8% (6,311 fully vaccinated)

Wdzinc // Wikimedia Commons

#45. Marion County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 42 (8 new cases, 0% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 33,352 (6,428 total cases)
— 11.7% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 441 (85 total deaths)
— 24.9% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 50.6% (9,751 fully vaccinated)

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#44. McLean County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 43 (4 new cases, 0% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 28,478 (2,622 total cases)
— 4.6% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 587 (54 total deaths)
— 66.3% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 51.2% (4,712 fully vaccinated)

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#43. Livingston County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 44 (4 new cases, -20% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 26,974 (2,480 total cases)
— 9.6% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 663 (61 total deaths)
— 87.8% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 49.5% (4,551 fully vaccinated)

Brian Stansberry // Wikimedia Commons

#42. Christian County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 45 (32 new cases, +167% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 23,254 (16,385 total cases)
— 22.1% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 298 (210 total deaths)
— 15.6% less deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 36.6% (25,804 fully vaccinated)

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#41. Martin County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 45 (5 new cases, +25% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 29,504 (3,303 total cases)
— 1.1% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 438 (49 total deaths)
— 24.1% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 54.3% (6,075 fully vaccinated)

W.marsh // Wikimedia Commons

#40. Jackson County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 45 (6 new cases, +200% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 32,148 (4,285 total cases)
— 7.7% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 600 (80 total deaths)
— 70.0% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 36.8% (4,911 fully vaccinated)

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#39. Pike County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 45 (26 new cases, -41% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 32,945 (19,067 total cases)
— 10.4% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 530 (307 total deaths)
— 50.1% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 52.9% (30,644 fully vaccinated)

W.marsh // Wikimedia Commons

#38. Adair County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 47 (9 new cases, +350% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 30,903 (5,934 total cases)
— 3.5% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 557 (107 total deaths)
— 57.8% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 39.4% (7,575 fully vaccinated)

W.marsh // Wikimedia Commons

#37. Rowan County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 49 (12 new cases, +71% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 27,535 (6,735 total cases)
— 7.7% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 282 (69 total deaths)
— 20.1% less deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 52.4% (12,808 fully vaccinated)

W.marsh // Wikimedia Commons

#36. Bourbon County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 51 (10 new cases, 0% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 30,301 (5,996 total cases)
— 1.5% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 298 (59 total deaths)
— 15.6% less deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 58.2% (11,516 fully vaccinated)

Greg5030 // Wikimedia Commons

#35. Kenton County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 53 (88 new cases, +31% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 25,484 (42,557 total cases)
— 14.6% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 249 (415 total deaths)
— 29.5% less deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 60.6% (101,282 fully vaccinated)

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#34. Anderson County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 53 (12 new cases, +100% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 29,085 (6,616 total cases)
— 2.6% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 308 (70 total deaths)
— 12.7% less deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 55.6% (12,636 fully vaccinated)

Brian Stansberry // Wikimedia Commons

#33. Harrison County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 53 (10 new cases, +233% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 33,925 (6,407 total cases)
— 13.7% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 402 (76 total deaths)
— 13.9% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 50.3% (9,494 fully vaccinated)

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#32. Floyd County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 53 (19 new cases, +12% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 35,281 (12,556 total cases)
— 18.2% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 579 (206 total deaths)
— 64.0% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 57.2% (20,373 fully vaccinated)

Hunter Hawley // Wikimedia Commons

#31. Breckinridge County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 54 (11 new cases, +83% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 25,209 (5,162 total cases)
— 15.5% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 381 (78 total deaths)
— 7.9% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 49.4% (10,108 fully vaccinated)

CoryClaxon // Wikimedia Commons

#30. Carter County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 56 (15 new cases, +200% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 32,325 (8,662 total cases)
— 8.3% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 399 (107 total deaths)
— 13.0% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 49.4% (13,231 fully vaccinated)

W.marsh // Wikimedia Commons

#29. Boone County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 57 (76 new cases, +46% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 28,167 (37,626 total cases)
— 5.6% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 222 (297 total deaths)
— 37.1% less deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 62.4% (83,323 fully vaccinated)

Dcoetzee // Wikimedia Commons

#28. Trigg County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 61 (9 new cases, 0% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 27,377 (4,011 total cases)
— 8.3% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 300 (44 total deaths)
— 15.0% less deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 47.2% (6,908 fully vaccinated)

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#27. Lyon County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 61 (5 new cases, +25% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 35,055 (2,878 total cases)
— 17.4% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 414 (34 total deaths)
— 17.3% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 58.5% (4,803 fully vaccinated)

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#26. Hardin County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 62 (69 new cases, +77% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 29,468 (32,697 total cases)
— 1.3% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 391 (434 total deaths)
— 10.8% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 63.1% (69,990 fully vaccinated)

w:User:Malepheasant // Wikimedia Commons

#25. Boyd County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 62 (29 new cases, +61% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 35,001 (16,352 total cases)
— 17.3% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 379 (177 total deaths)
— 7.4% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 49.4% (23,059 fully vaccinated)

Christopher L. Riley // Wikimedia Commons

#24. Jessamine County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 63 (34 new cases, +10% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 28,201 (15,261 total cases)
— 5.5% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 257 (139 total deaths)
— 27.2% less deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 54.0% (29,224 fully vaccinated)

Chris Light // Wikimedia Commons

#23. Nelson County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 63 (29 new cases, +71% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 31,348 (14,493 total cases)
— 5.0% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 331 (153 total deaths)
— 6.2% less deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 52.4% (24,247 fully vaccinated)

Turover // Wikimedia Commons

#22. Greenup County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 63 (22 new cases, +29% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 34,452 (12,092 total cases)
— 15.4% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 413 (145 total deaths)
— 17.0% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 52.4% (18,396 fully vaccinated)

JERRYE & ROY KLOTZ MD // Wikimedia Commons

#21. Franklin County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 69 (35 new cases, +52% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 27,219 (13,879 total cases)
— 8.8% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 300 (153 total deaths)
— 15.0% less deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 61.6% (31,398 fully vaccinated)

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#20. Letcher County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 70 (15 new cases, +200% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 33,114 (7,137 total cases)
— 10.9% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 529 (114 total deaths)
— 49.9% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 53.3% (11,483 fully vaccinated)

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#19. Spencer County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 72 (14 new cases, +56% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 27,787 (5,377 total cases)
— 6.9% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 305 (59 total deaths)
— 13.6% less deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 30.2% (5,838 fully vaccinated)

W.marsh // Wikimedia Commons

#18. Shelby County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 73 (36 new cases, +50% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 27,289 (13,378 total cases)
— 8.6% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 330 (162 total deaths)
— 6.5% less deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 47.0% (23,064 fully vaccinated)

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

#17. Madison County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 73 (68 new cases, +94% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 29,879 (27,784 total cases)
— 0.1% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 301 (280 total deaths)
— 14.7% less deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 48.1% (44,743 fully vaccinated)

w.marsh // Wikimedia Commons

#16. Henderson County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 77 (35 new cases, +9% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 30,885 (13,963 total cases)
— 3.5% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 372 (168 total deaths)
— 5.4% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 51.3% (23,195 fully vaccinated)

Rdikeman // Wikimedia Commons

#15. Campbell County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 78 (73 new cases, +38% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 24,886 (23,289 total cases)
— 16.6% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 190 (178 total deaths)
— 46.2% less deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 63.9% (59,833 fully vaccinated)

W.marsh // Wikimedia Commons

#14. Montgomery County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 78 (22 new cases, +450% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 28,867 (8,128 total cases)
— 3.3% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 384 (108 total deaths)
— 8.8% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 47.1% (13,252 fully vaccinated)

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#13. Mercer County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 78 (17 new cases, +143% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 33,703 (7,392 total cases)
— 12.9% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 483 (106 total deaths)
— 36.8% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 54.7% (11,999 fully vaccinated)

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#12. Powell County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 81 (10 new cases, +43% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 38,676 (4,780 total cases)
— 29.6% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 356 (44 total deaths)
— 0.8% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 53.0% (6,548 fully vaccinated)

W.marsh // Wikimedia Commons

#11. Woodford County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 82 (22 new cases, +16% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 26,001 (6,951 total cases)
— 12.9% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 183 (49 total deaths)
— 48.2% less deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 66.3% (17,737 fully vaccinated)

W.marsh // Wikimedia Commons

#10. Bullitt County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 86 (70 new cases, +30% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 26,639 (21,758 total cases)
— 10.7% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 273 (223 total deaths)
— 22.7% less deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 45.6% (37,215 fully vaccinated)

Christopher L. Riley // Wikimedia Commons

#9. Clark County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 88 (32 new cases, +10% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 29,565 (10,721 total cases)
— 0.9% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 188 (68 total deaths)
— 46.7% less deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 54.8% (19,885 fully vaccinated)

W.marsh // Wikimedia Commons

#8. Oldham County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 90 (60 new cases, +62% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 27,644 (18,466 total cases)
— 7.4% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 217 (145 total deaths)
— 38.5% less deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 57.5% (38,392 fully vaccinated)

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#7. Magoffin County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 90 (11 new cases, +38% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 32,456 (3,947 total cases)
— 8.7% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 419 (51 total deaths)
— 18.7% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 51.3% (6,243 fully vaccinated)

W.marsh // Wikimedia Commons

#6. Scott County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 105 (60 new cases, +25% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 31,000 (17,671 total cases)
— 3.9% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 191 (109 total deaths)
— 45.9% less deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 55.9% (31,857 fully vaccinated)

Christopher L. Riley // Wikimedia Commons

#5. Fayette County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 112 (362 new cases, +1% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 29,630 (95,750 total cases)
— 0.7% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 188 (609 total deaths)
— 46.7% less deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 66.9% (216,053 fully vaccinated)

C. Bedford Crenshaw // Wikimedia Commons

#4. Caldwell County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 118 (15 new cases, +114% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 32,596 (4,155 total cases)
— 9.2% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 479 (61 total deaths)
— 35.7% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 52.4% (6,685 fully vaccinated)

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#3. Carlisle County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 126 (6 new cases, 0% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 22,605 (1,076 total cases)
— 24.3% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 420 (20 total deaths)
— 19.0% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 41.1% (1,958 fully vaccinated)

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#2. Henry County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 130 (21 new cases, +5% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 29,883 (4,819 total cases)
— 0.1% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 322 (52 total deaths)
— 8.8% less deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 54.0% (8,703 fully vaccinated)

Chris Watson // Wikicommons

#1. Jefferson County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 182 (1,395 new cases, +31% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 29,681 (227,579 total cases)
— 0.6% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 307 (2,357 total deaths)
— 13.0% less deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 64.2% (492,061 fully vaccinated)