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 18 reached over 1 million COVID-19-related deaths and 83.4 million COVID-19 cases, according to Johns Hopkins University. Currently, 66.5% of the population is fully vaccinated, and 46.4% 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 17, 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. Letcher County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 46 (10 new cases, -33% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 33,155 (7,146 total cases)
— 10.5% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 534 (115 total deaths)
— 50.4% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 53.3% (11,496 fully vaccinated)

Brian Stansberry // Wikimedia Commons

#49. Harrison County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 48 (9 new cases, -10% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 33,999 (6,421 total cases)
— 13.3% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 408 (77 total deaths)
— 14.9% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 50.3% (9,508 fully vaccinated)

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#48. Magoffin County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 49 (6 new cases, -45% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 32,497 (3,952 total cases)
— 8.3% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 419 (51 total deaths)
— 18.0% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 51.4% (6,250 fully vaccinated)

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#47. Lyon County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 49 (4 new cases, -20% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 35,116 (2,883 total cases)
— 17.1% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 426 (35 total deaths)
— 20.0% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 58.5% (4,804 fully vaccinated)

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#46. Marshall County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 51 (16 new cases, +220% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 27,103 (8,429 total cases)
— 9.6% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 367 (114 total deaths)
— 3.4% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 53.8% (16,746 fully vaccinated)

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#45. Elliott County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 53 (4 new cases, 0% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 34,548 (2,597 total cases)
— 15.2% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 253 (19 total deaths)
— 28.7% less deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 35.8% (2,691 fully vaccinated)

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#44. Livingston County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 54 (5 new cases, +25% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 27,028 (2,485 total cases)
— 9.9% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 663 (61 total deaths)
— 86.8% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 49.5% (4,554 fully vaccinated)

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#43. Nicholas County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 55 (4 new cases, +300% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 29,027 (2,110 total cases)
— 3.2% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 440 (32 total deaths)
— 23.9% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 53.2% (3,868 fully vaccinated)

OPMaster // Wikimedia Commons

#42. Warren County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 56 (74 new cases, +37% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 32,465 (43,145 total cases)
— 8.2% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 282 (375 total deaths)
— 20.6% less deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 38.9% (51,632 fully vaccinated)

Christopher L. Riley // Wikimedia Commons

#41. Boyle County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 57 (17 new cases, +70% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 28,234 (8,487 total cases)
— 5.9% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 442 (133 total deaths)
— 24.5% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 57.2% (17,187 fully vaccinated)

W.marsh // Wikimedia Commons

#40. Harlan County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 58 (15 new cases, +275% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 35,490 (9,231 total cases)
— 18.3% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 811 (211 total deaths)
— 128.5% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 46.5% (12,103 fully vaccinated)

Bfreas // Wikimedia Commons

#39. Simpson County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 59 (11 new cases, +450% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 30,368 (5,640 total cases)
— 1.2% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 512 (95 total deaths)
— 44.2% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 50.8% (9,437 fully vaccinated)

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#38. Spencer County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 62 (12 new cases, -14% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 27,880 (5,395 total cases)
— 7.1% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 305 (59 total deaths)
— 14.1% less deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 30.2% (5,849 fully vaccinated)

w.marsh // Wikimedia Commons

#37. Henderson County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 64 (29 new cases, -17% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 30,938 (13,987 total cases)
— 3.1% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 372 (168 total deaths)
— 4.8% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 51.4% (23,228 fully vaccinated)

W.marsh // Wikimedia Commons

#36. Rowan County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 65 (16 new cases, +33% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 27,600 (6,751 total cases)
— 8.0% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 282 (69 total deaths)
— 20.6% less deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 52.4% (12,818 fully vaccinated)

Greg5030 // Wikimedia Commons

#35. Kenton County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 66 (110 new cases, +25% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 25,570 (42,702 total cases)
— 14.8% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 252 (420 total deaths)
— 29.0% less deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 60.7% (101,434 fully vaccinated)

verygreen // Wikimedia Commons

#34. Rockcastle County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 66 (11 new cases, +175% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 30,326 (5,063 total cases)
— 1.1% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 365 (61 total deaths)
— 2.8% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 40.6% (6,786 fully vaccinated)

W.marsh // Wikimedia Commons

#33. Boone County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 67 (89 new cases, +17% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 28,244 (37,728 total cases)
— 5.8% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 224 (299 total deaths)
— 36.9% less deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 62.5% (83,457 fully vaccinated)

Smallbones // Wikimedia Commons

#32. McCracken County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 67 (44 new cases, +144% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 28,353 (18,548 total cases)
— 5.5% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 405 (265 total deaths)
— 14.1% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 56.0% (36,648 fully vaccinated)

W.marsh // Wikimedia Commons

#31. Montgomery County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 67 (19 new cases, -14% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 29,428 (8,286 total cases)
— 1.9% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 384 (108 total deaths)
— 8.2% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 47.1% (13,259 fully vaccinated)

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#30. Anderson County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 75 (17 new cases, +55% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 29,147 (6,630 total cases)
— 2.8% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 312 (71 total deaths)
— 12.1% less deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 55.6% (12,649 fully vaccinated)

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#29. McLean County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 76 (7 new cases, +75% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 28,533 (2,627 total cases)
— 4.9% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 587 (54 total deaths)
— 65.4% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 51.2% (4,714 fully vaccinated)

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

#28. Madison County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 76 (71 new cases, +1% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 29,967 (27,865 total cases)
— 0.1% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 301 (280 total deaths)
— 15.2% less deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 48.2% (44,808 fully vaccinated)

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#27. Floyd County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 76 (27 new cases, +50% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 35,356 (12,583 total cases)
— 17.9% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 593 (211 total deaths)
— 67.0% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 57.3% (20,397 fully vaccinated)

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#26. Lawrence County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 78 (12 new cases, +500% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 29,438 (4,509 total cases)
— 1.9% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 457 (70 total deaths)
— 28.7% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 48.7% (7,456 fully vaccinated)

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#25. Mercer County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 78 (17 new cases, 0% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 33,785 (7,410 total cases)
— 12.6% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 483 (106 total deaths)
— 36.1% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 54.8% (12,010 fully vaccinated)

W.marsh // Wikimedia Commons

#24. Bath County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 80 (10 new cases, +233% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 25,712 (3,214 total cases)
— 14.3% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 384 (48 total deaths)
— 8.2% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 54.2% (6,773 fully vaccinated)

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#23. Grant County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 80 (20 new cases, +900% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 28,693 (7,193 total cases)
— 4.3% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 247 (62 total deaths)
— 30.4% less deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 49.2% (12,331 fully vaccinated)

Chris Light // Wikimedia Commons

#22. Nelson County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 80 (37 new cases, +28% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 31,426 (14,529 total cases)
— 4.8% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 331 (153 total deaths)
— 6.8% less deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 52.5% (24,262 fully vaccinated)

JERRYE & ROY KLOTZ MD // Wikimedia Commons

#21. Franklin County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 86 (44 new cases, 0% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 27,328 (13,935 total cases)
— 8.9% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 302 (154 total deaths)
— 14.9% less deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 61.7% (31,446 fully vaccinated)

Christopher L. Riley // Wikimedia Commons

#20. Jessamine County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 92 (50 new cases, +43% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 28,299 (15,314 total cases)
— 5.7% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 261 (141 total deaths)
— 26.5% less deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 54.1% (29,263 fully vaccinated)

CoryClaxon // Wikimedia Commons

#19. Carter County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 93 (25 new cases, +67% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 32,418 (8,687 total cases)
— 8.1% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 399 (107 total deaths)
— 12.4% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 49.4% (13,239 fully vaccinated)

Dcoetzee // Wikimedia Commons

#18. Trigg County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 96 (14 new cases, +40% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 27,473 (4,025 total cases)
— 8.4% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 307 (45 total deaths)
— 13.5% less deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 47.3% (6,924 fully vaccinated)

W.marsh // Wikimedia Commons

#17. Bullitt County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 97 (79 new cases, +11% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 26,762 (21,858 total cases)
— 10.8% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 275 (225 total deaths)
— 22.5% less deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 45.6% (37,247 fully vaccinated)

Rdikeman // Wikimedia Commons

#16. Campbell County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 98 (92 new cases, +24% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 25,001 (23,397 total cases)
— 16.7% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 193 (181 total deaths)
— 45.6% less deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 64.0% (59,940 fully vaccinated)

Brian Stansberry // Wikimedia Commons

#15. Washington County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 99 (12 new cases, +71% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 32,823 (3,970 total cases)
— 9.4% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 513 (62 total deaths)
— 44.5% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 51.3% (6,210 fully vaccinated)

W.marsh // Wikimedia Commons

#14. Bourbon County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 101 (20 new cases, +82% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 30,397 (6,015 total cases)
— 1.3% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 303 (60 total deaths)
— 14.6% less deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 58.2% (11,522 fully vaccinated)

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#13. Pike County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 105 (61 new cases, +103% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 33,045 (19,125 total cases)
— 10.2% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 532 (308 total deaths)
— 49.9% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 53.0% (30,665 fully vaccinated)

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#12. Powell County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 105 (13 new cases, +30% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 38,773 (4,792 total cases)
— 29.3% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 356 (44 total deaths)
— 0.3% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 53.1% (6,557 fully vaccinated)

Christopher L. Riley // Wikimedia Commons

#11. Clark County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 110 (40 new cases, +25% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 29,678 (10,762 total cases)
— 1.1% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 193 (70 total deaths)
— 45.6% less deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 54.9% (19,897 fully vaccinated)

W.marsh // Wikimedia Commons

#10. Oldham County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 111 (74 new cases, +25% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 27,792 (18,565 total cases)
— 7.3% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 217 (145 total deaths)
— 38.9% less deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 57.5% (38,436 fully vaccinated)

W.marsh // Wikimedia Commons

#9. Scott County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 114 (65 new cases, +7% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 31,171 (17,769 total cases)
— 3.9% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 193 (110 total deaths)
— 45.6% less deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 55.9% (31,886 fully vaccinated)

w:User:Malepheasant // Wikimedia Commons

#8. Boyd County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 122 (57 new cases, +97% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 35,115 (16,405 total cases)
— 17.1% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 381 (178 total deaths)
— 7.3% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 49.4% (23,096 fully vaccinated)

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#7. Hardin County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 125 (139 new cases, +101% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 29,597 (32,840 total cases)
— 1.3% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 394 (437 total deaths)
— 11.0% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 63.2% (70,094 fully vaccinated)

W.marsh // Wikimedia Commons

#6. Shelby County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 131 (64 new cases, +78% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 27,429 (13,447 total cases)
— 8.6% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 330 (162 total deaths)
— 7.0% less deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 47.1% (23,089 fully vaccinated)

Turover // Wikimedia Commons

#5. Greenup County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 154 (54 new cases, +108% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 34,612 (12,148 total cases)
— 15.4% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 419 (147 total deaths)
— 18.0% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 52.6% (18,472 fully vaccinated)

W.marsh // Wikimedia Commons

#4. Woodford County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 157 (42 new cases, +91% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 26,173 (6,997 total cases)
— 12.7% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 187 (50 total deaths)
— 47.3% less deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 66.4% (17,759 fully vaccinated)

Christopher L. Riley // Wikimedia Commons

#3. Fayette County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 164 (530 new cases, +45% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 29,797 (96,288 total cases)
— 0.7% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 190 (613 total deaths)
— 46.5% less deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 66.9% (216,326 fully vaccinated)

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#2. Henry County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 186 (30 new cases, +50% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 30,076 (4,850 total cases)
— 0.3% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 329 (53 total deaths)
— 7.3% less deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 54.0% (8,709 fully vaccinated)

Chris Watson // Wikicommons

#1. Jefferson County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 219 (1,683 new cases, +20% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 29,833 (228,749 total cases)
— 0.5% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 309 (2,366 total deaths)
— 13.0% less deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 64.3% (492,785 fully vaccinated)