W.marsh // 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 Jun. 7 reached over 1 million COVID-19-related deaths and 85 million COVID-19 cases, according to Johns Hopkins University. Currently, 66.7% of the population is fully vaccinated, and 46.9% 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 Jun. 7, 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.

W.marsh // Wikimedia Commons

#50. Adair County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 109 (21 new cases, +17% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 31,195 (5,990 total cases)
— 2.1% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 557 (107 total deaths)
— 55.6% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 39.6% (7,597 fully vaccinated)

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#49. Lyon County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 110 (9 new cases, +29% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 35,481 (2,913 total cases)
— 16.1% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 426 (35 total deaths)
— 19.0% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 58.6% (4,809 fully vaccinated)

W.marsh // Wikimedia Commons

#48. Bullitt County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 111 (91 new cases, -31% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 27,451 (22,421 total cases)
— 10.2% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 275 (225 total deaths)
— 23.2% less deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 45.8% (37,376 fully vaccinated)

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#47. Lawrence County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 111 (17 new cases, -43% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 29,771 (4,560 total cases)
— 2.6% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 464 (71 total deaths)
— 29.6% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 48.8% (7,477 fully vaccinated)

Bfreas // Wikimedia Commons

#46. Simpson County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 113 (21 new cases, -19% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 30,923 (5,743 total cases)
— 1.2% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 512 (95 total deaths)
— 43.0% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 51.0% (9,469 fully vaccinated)

Smceuen // Wikimedia Commons

#45. Carroll County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 113 (12 new cases, +33% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 33,233 (3,533 total cases)
— 8.7% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 452 (48 total deaths)
— 26.3% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 47.0% (4,993 fully vaccinated)

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#44. Spencer County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 114 (22 new cases, -29% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 28,484 (5,512 total cases)
— 6.8% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 310 (60 total deaths)
— 13.4% less deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 30.4% (5,878 fully vaccinated)

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

#43. Fleming County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 117 (17 new cases, +42% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 27,659 (4,033 total cases)
— 9.5% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 425 (62 total deaths)
— 18.7% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 52.1% (7,596 fully vaccinated)

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#42. Russell County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 117 (21 new cases, +31% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 36,333 (6,512 total cases)
— 18.9% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 491 (88 total deaths)
— 37.2% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 46.1% (8,263 fully vaccinated)

Greg5030 // Wikimedia Commons

#41. Mason County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 123 (21 new cases, -9% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 29,830 (5,092 total cases)
— 2.4% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 621 (106 total deaths)
— 73.5% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 51.3% (8,757 fully vaccinated)

w.marsh // Wikimedia Commons

#40. Henderson County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 124 (56 new cases, +51% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 31,212 (14,111 total cases)
— 2.1% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 376 (170 total deaths)
— 5.0% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 51.7% (23,393 fully vaccinated)

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#39. Floyd County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 124 (44 new cases, 0% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 35,744 (12,721 total cases)
— 16.9% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 607 (216 total deaths)
— 69.6% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 57.4% (20,429 fully vaccinated)

W.marsh // Wikimedia Commons

#38. Shelby County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 126 (62 new cases, +35% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 28,017 (13,735 total cases)
— 8.3% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 337 (165 total deaths)
— 5.9% less deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 47.2% (23,156 fully vaccinated)

Megangen1990 // Wikimedia Commons

#37. Muhlenberg County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 131 (40 new cases, +33% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 33,669 (10,310 total cases)
— 10.1% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 402 (123 total deaths)
— 12.3% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 51.4% (15,735 fully vaccinated)

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#36. Leslie County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 132 (13 new cases, +18% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 37,977 (3,751 total cases)
— 24.2% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 496 (49 total deaths)
— 38.5% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 52.7% (5,202 fully vaccinated)

JERRYE & ROY KLOTZ MD // Wikimedia Commons

#35. Franklin County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 133 (68 new cases, -24% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 27,830 (14,191 total cases)
— 9.0% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 308 (157 total deaths)
— 14.0% less deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 61.9% (31,540 fully vaccinated)

Chris Light // Wikimedia Commons

#34. Nelson County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 136 (63 new cases, -23% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 31,919 (14,757 total cases)
— 4.4% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 337 (156 total deaths)
— 5.9% less deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 52.6% (24,316 fully vaccinated)

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#33. Menifee County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 139 (9 new cases, +200% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 26,845 (1,742 total cases)
— 12.2% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 493 (32 total deaths)
— 37.7% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 44.7% (2,900 fully vaccinated)

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#32. Wolfe County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 140 (10 new cases, -17% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 35,769 (2,560 total cases)
— 17.0% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 405 (29 total deaths)
— 13.1% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 54.1% (3,873 fully vaccinated)

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#31. Livingston County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 141 (13 new cases, +8% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 27,464 (2,525 total cases)
— 10.2% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 663 (61 total deaths)
— 85.2% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 49.7% (4,566 fully vaccinated)

W.marsh // Wikimedia Commons

#30. Montgomery County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 142 (40 new cases, +21% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 30,799 (8,672 total cases)
— 0.8% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 384 (108 total deaths)
— 7.3% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 47.2% (13,296 fully vaccinated)

W.marsh // Wikimedia Commons

#29. Harlan County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 142 (37 new cases, +131% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 35,755 (9,300 total cases)
— 17.0% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 830 (216 total deaths)
— 131.8% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 46.6% (12,129 fully vaccinated)

Rdikeman // Wikimedia Commons

#28. Campbell County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 143 (134 new cases, +2% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 25,500 (23,864 total cases)
— 16.6% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 199 (186 total deaths)
— 44.4% less deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 64.3% (60,140 fully vaccinated)

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#27. Hardin County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 143 (159 new cases, -29% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 30,245 (33,559 total cases)
— 1.1% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 396 (439 total deaths)
— 10.6% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 63.4% (70,343 fully vaccinated)

Brian Stansberry // Wikimedia Commons

#26. Harrison County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 143 (27 new cases, +23% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 34,729 (6,559 total cases)
— 13.6% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 408 (77 total deaths)
— 14.0% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 50.4% (9,524 fully vaccinated)

W.marsh // Wikimedia Commons

#25. Oldham County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 147 (98 new cases, -25% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 28,432 (18,992 total cases)
— 7.0% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 216 (144 total deaths)
— 39.7% less deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 57.7% (38,568 fully vaccinated)

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#24. Breathitt County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 150 (19 new cases, +27% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 30,523 (3,855 total cases)
— 0.1% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 428 (54 total deaths)
— 19.6% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 52.9% (6,681 fully vaccinated)

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#23. Perry County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 151 (39 new cases, +3% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 43,295 (11,152 total cases)
— 41.6% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 710 (183 total deaths)
— 98.3% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 62.6% (16,115 fully vaccinated)

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#22. Grant County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 152 (38 new cases, +41% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 29,203 (7,321 total cases)
— 4.5% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 255 (64 total deaths)
— 28.8% less deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 49.3% (12,371 fully vaccinated)

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#21. Mercer County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 155 (34 new cases, -6% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 34,291 (7,521 total cases)
— 12.2% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 483 (106 total deaths)
— 34.9% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 54.9% (12,051 fully vaccinated)

Christopher L. Riley // Wikimedia Commons

#20. Jessamine County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 159 (86 new cases, +5% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 28,798 (15,584 total cases)
— 5.8% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 266 (144 total deaths)
— 25.7% less deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 54.2% (29,339 fully vaccinated)

W.marsh // Wikimedia Commons

#19. Scott County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 160 (91 new cases, -38% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 32,028 (18,257 total cases)
— 4.8% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 195 (111 total deaths)
— 45.5% less deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 56.1% (31,969 fully vaccinated)

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#18. Pike County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 162 (94 new cases, -19% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 33,627 (19,462 total cases)
— 10.0% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 534 (309 total deaths)
— 49.2% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 53.1% (30,726 fully vaccinated)

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#17. Henry County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 167 (27 new cases, +42% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 31,328 (5,052 total cases)
— 2.5% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 329 (53 total deaths)
— 8.1% less deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 54.1% (8,725 fully vaccinated)

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

#16. Madison County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 168 (156 new cases, +11% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 30,452 (28,316 total cases)
— 0.4% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 302 (281 total deaths)
— 15.6% less deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 48.3% (44,934 fully vaccinated)

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#15. Morgan County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 173 (23 new cases, +229% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 40,251 (5,357 total cases)
— 31.7% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 248 (33 total deaths)
— 30.7% less deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 48.5% (6,456 fully vaccinated)

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#14. Knott County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 176 (26 new cases, +136% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 28,934 (4,284 total cases)
— 5.3% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 439 (65 total deaths)
— 22.6% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 48.2% (7,131 fully vaccinated)

W.marsh // Wikimedia Commons

#13. Bath County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 184 (23 new cases, +92% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 26,064 (3,258 total cases)
— 14.7% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 392 (49 total deaths)
— 9.5% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 54.3% (6,791 fully vaccinated)

CoryClaxon // Wikimedia Commons

#12. Carter County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 205 (55 new cases, +8% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 32,914 (8,820 total cases)
— 7.7% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 399 (107 total deaths)
— 11.5% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 49.5% (13,268 fully vaccinated)

C. Bedford Crenshaw // Wikimedia Commons

#11. Lewis County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 211 (28 new cases, +250% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 34,478 (4,577 total cases)
— 12.8% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 663 (88 total deaths)
— 85.2% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 39.5% (5,248 fully vaccinated)

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#10. Elliott County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 213 (16 new cases, +78% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 35,373 (2,659 total cases)
— 15.7% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 253 (19 total deaths)
— 29.3% less deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 35.8% (2,694 fully vaccinated)

Christopher L. Riley // Wikimedia Commons

#9. Fayette County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 214 (691 new cases, -14% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 30,480 (98,496 total cases)
— 0.3% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 191 (617 total deaths)
— 46.6% less deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 67.2% (217,022 fully vaccinated)

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#8. Crittenden County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 216 (19 new cases, +46% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 26,516 (2,335 total cases)
— 13.3% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 568 (50 total deaths)
— 58.7% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 41.2% (3,632 fully vaccinated)

w:User:Malepheasant // Wikimedia Commons

#7. Boyd County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 216 (101 new cases, -17% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 35,791 (16,721 total cases)
— 17.1% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 383 (179 total deaths)
— 7.0% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 49.6% (23,177 fully vaccinated)

Turover // Wikimedia Commons

#6. Greenup County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 219 (77 new cases, +5% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 35,221 (12,362 total cases)
— 15.2% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 422 (148 total deaths)
— 17.9% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 52.8% (18,527 fully vaccinated)

Chris Watson // Wikicommons

#5. Jefferson County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 222 (1,703 new cases, -33% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 30,667 (235,143 total cases)
— 0.3% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 311 (2,388 total deaths)
— 13.1% less deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 64.5% (494,640 fully vaccinated)

verygreen // Wikimedia Commons

#4. Rockcastle County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 228 (38 new cases, +111% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 30,632 (5,114 total cases)
— 0.2% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 377 (63 total deaths)
— 5.3% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 40.7% (6,800 fully vaccinated)

Smallbones // Wikimedia Commons

#3. McCracken County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 243 (159 new cases, -2% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 29,312 (19,175 total cases)
— 4.1% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 419 (274 total deaths)
— 17.0% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 56.2% (36,767 fully vaccinated)

Christopher L. Riley // Wikimedia Commons

#2. Clark County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 262 (95 new cases, +67% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 30,317 (10,994 total cases)
— 0.8% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 196 (71 total deaths)
— 45.3% less deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 55.0% (19,958 fully vaccinated)

W.marsh // Wikimedia Commons

#1. Woodford County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 296 (79 new cases, +44% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 27,029 (7,226 total cases)
— 11.6% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 195 (52 total deaths)
— 45.5% less deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 66.5% (17,791 fully vaccinated)