Nyttend // 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 Jul. 6 reached over 1 million COVID-19-related deaths and 88 million COVID-19 cases, according to Johns Hopkins University. Currently, 66.9% of the population is fully vaccinated, and 47.8% 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 Jul. 5, 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. Bell County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 207 (54 new cases, +157% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 34,780 (9,054 total cases)
— 10.5% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 611 (159 total deaths)
— 68.8% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 46.2% (12,037 fully vaccinated)

Brian Stansberry // Wikimedia Commons

#49. Harrison County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 207 (39 new cases, -9% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 36,794 (6,949 total cases)
— 16.9% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 418 (79 total deaths)
— 15.5% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 50.6% (9,555 fully vaccinated)

JERRYE & ROY KLOTZ MD // Wikimedia Commons

#48. Hart County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 215 (41 new cases, +37% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 29,514 (5,618 total cases)
— 6.3% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 541 (103 total deaths)
— 49.4% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 36.0% (6,855 fully vaccinated)

Smallbones // Wikimedia Commons

#47. McCracken County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 216 (141 new cases, -7% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 31,676 (20,722 total cases)
— 0.6% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 420 (275 total deaths)
— 16.0% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 56.3% (36,853 fully vaccinated)

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#46. McLean County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 217 (20 new cases, +11% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 29,619 (2,727 total cases)
— 5.9% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 587 (54 total deaths)
— 62.2% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 51.4% (4,737 fully vaccinated)

Ryan Emmick // Wikimedia Commons

#45. Hancock County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 218 (19 new cases, 0% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 29,764 (2,596 total cases)
— 5.5% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 287 (25 total deaths)
— 20.7% less deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 59.8% (5,214 fully vaccinated)

W.marsh // Wikimedia Commons

#44. Adair County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 219 (42 new cases, +14% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 32,252 (6,193 total cases)
— 2.4% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 557 (107 total deaths)
— 53.9% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 39.6% (7,602 fully vaccinated)

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#43. Anderson County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 220 (50 new cases, 0% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 30,562 (6,952 total cases)
— 2.9% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 312 (71 total deaths)
— 13.8% less deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 56.1% (12,762 fully vaccinated)

w.marsh // Wikimedia Commons

#42. Henderson County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 223 (101 new cases, +44% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 31,960 (14,449 total cases)
— 1.5% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 383 (173 total deaths)
— 5.8% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 52.1% (23,553 fully vaccinated)

Joel Bradshaw // Wikimedia Commons

#41. Ohio County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 225 (54 new cases, +108% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 31,379 (7,529 total cases)
— 0.3% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 438 (105 total deaths)
— 21.0% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 40.3% (9,662 fully vaccinated)

Chris Light // Wikimedia Commons

#40. Nelson County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 227 (105 new cases, +9% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 32,883 (15,203 total cases)
— 4.4% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 340 (157 total deaths)
— 6.1% less deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 52.7% (24,375 fully vaccinated)

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#39. Metcalfe County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 228 (23 new cases, +77% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 29,649 (2,986 total cases)
— 5.8% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 645 (65 total deaths)
— 78.2% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 41.0% (4,129 fully vaccinated)

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

#38. Madison County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 229 (213 new cases, +5% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 31,356 (29,157 total cases)
— 0.4% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 305 (284 total deaths)
— 15.7% less deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 48.5% (45,084 fully vaccinated)

Christopher L. Riley // Wikimedia Commons

#37. Clark County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 232 (84 new cases, +5% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 31,589 (11,455 total cases)
— 0.3% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 199 (72 total deaths)
— 45.0% less deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 55.3% (20,045 fully vaccinated)

W.marsh // Wikimedia Commons

#36. Rowan County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 233 (57 new cases, +10% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 29,076 (7,112 total cases)
— 7.7% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 286 (70 total deaths)
— 21.0% less deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 52.7% (12,892 fully vaccinated)

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#35. Taylor County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 237 (61 new cases, -24% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 38,325 (9,876 total cases)
— 21.7% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 489 (126 total deaths)
— 35.1% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 48.5% (12,496 fully vaccinated)

Chris Watson // Wikicommons

#34. Jefferson County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 239 (1,830 new cases, +10% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 31,643 (242,626 total cases)
— 0.5% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 314 (2,409 total deaths)
— 13.3% less deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 64.7% (496,175 fully vaccinated)

Christopher L. Riley // Wikimedia Commons

#33. Fayette County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 241 (778 new cases, +8% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 31,707 (102,461 total cases)
— 0.7% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 193 (625 total deaths)
— 46.7% less deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 67.4% (217,697 fully vaccinated)

Paul Sableman // Wikimedia Commons

#32. Graves County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 242 (90 new cases, -3% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 31,769 (11,839 total cases)
— 0.9% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 494 (184 total deaths)
— 36.5% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 46.1% (17,172 fully vaccinated)

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#31. Pike County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 242 (140 new cases, -1% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 34,710 (20,089 total cases)
— 10.2% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 548 (317 total deaths)
— 51.4% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 53.2% (30,784 fully vaccinated)

Brian Stansberry // Wikimedia Commons

#30. Monroe County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 244 (26 new cases, +37% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 35,352 (3,765 total cases)
— 12.3% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 751 (80 total deaths)
— 107.5% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 46.6% (4,961 fully vaccinated)

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#29. Magoffin County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 247 (30 new cases, +88% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 33,846 (4,116 total cases)
— 7.5% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 428 (52 total deaths)
— 18.2% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 51.5% (6,263 fully vaccinated)

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#28. Wolfe County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 252 (18 new cases, -28% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 37,250 (2,666 total cases)
— 18.3% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 405 (29 total deaths)
— 11.9% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 54.3% (3,886 fully vaccinated)

W.marsh // Wikimedia Commons

#27. Bath County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 256 (32 new cases, +3% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 27,080 (3,385 total cases)
— 14.0% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 392 (49 total deaths)
— 8.3% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 54.4% (6,794 fully vaccinated)

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#26. Allen County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 258 (55 new cases, +2% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 32,170 (6,857 total cases)
— 2.2% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 507 (108 total deaths)
— 40.1% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 40.0% (8,519 fully vaccinated)

W.marsh // Wikimedia Commons

#25. Montgomery County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 259 (73 new cases, -22% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 32,812 (9,239 total cases)
— 4.2% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 387 (109 total deaths)
— 6.9% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 47.3% (13,319 fully vaccinated)

OPMaster // Wikimedia Commons

#24. Warren County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 259 (344 new cases, +32% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 33,971 (45,146 total cases)
— 7.9% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 287 (382 total deaths)
— 20.7% less deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 39.1% (51,936 fully vaccinated)

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#23. Floyd County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 259 (92 new cases, +30% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 36,466 (12,978 total cases)
— 15.8% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 621 (221 total deaths)
— 71.5% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 57.5% (20,462 fully vaccinated)

w:User:Malepheasant // Wikimedia Commons

#22. Boyd County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 263 (123 new cases, -24% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 37,255 (17,405 total cases)
— 18.3% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 387 (181 total deaths)
— 6.9% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 49.8% (23,270 fully vaccinated)

W.marsh // Wikimedia Commons

#21. Owen County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 266 (29 new cases, +61% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 22,668 (2,471 total cases)
— 28.0% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 312 (34 total deaths)
— 13.8% less deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 38.0% (4,140 fully vaccinated)

W.marsh // Wikimedia Commons

#20. Bourbon County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 268 (53 new cases, +39% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 32,085 (6,349 total cases)
— 1.9% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 308 (61 total deaths)
— 14.9% less deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 58.6% (11,591 fully vaccinated)

Murray State // Wikimedia Commons

#19. Calloway County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 269 (105 new cases, +18% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 24,184 (9,432 total cases)
— 23.2% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 246 (96 total deaths)
— 32.0% less deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 46.2% (18,026 fully vaccinated)

Jim.henderson // Wikimedia Commons

#18. Hopkins County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 269 (120 new cases, +18% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 34,700 (15,506 total cases)
— 10.2% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 575 (257 total deaths)
— 58.8% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 52.2% (23,348 fully vaccinated)

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#17. Barren County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 273 (121 new cases, +59% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 30,593 (13,537 total cases)
— 2.8% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 502 (222 total deaths)
— 38.7% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 46.5% (20,572 fully vaccinated)

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#16. Menifee County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 277 (18 new cases, +29% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 27,801 (1,804 total cases)
— 11.7% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 493 (32 total deaths)
— 36.2% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 44.8% (2,909 fully vaccinated)

W.marsh // Wikimedia Commons

#15. Woodford County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 277 (74 new cases, +28% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 28,084 (7,508 total cases)
— 10.8% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 198 (53 total deaths)
— 45.3% less deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 66.8% (17,846 fully vaccinated)

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#14. Powell County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 283 (35 new cases, -17% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 39,947 (4,937 total cases)
— 26.9% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 364 (45 total deaths)
— 0.6% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 53.2% (6,580 fully vaccinated)

CoryClaxon // Wikimedia Commons

#13. Carter County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 291 (78 new cases, +24% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 34,258 (9,180 total cases)
— 8.8% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 407 (109 total deaths)
— 12.4% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 49.6% (13,300 fully vaccinated)

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#12. Lyon County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 292 (24 new cases, -40% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 36,931 (3,032 total cases)
— 17.3% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 438 (36 total deaths)
— 21.0% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 58.6% (4,815 fully vaccinated)

W.marsh // Wikimedia Commons

#11. Harlan County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 296 (77 new cases, +26% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 36,517 (9,498 total cases)
— 16.0% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 827 (215 total deaths)
— 128.5% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 46.8% (12,166 fully vaccinated)

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#10. Mercer County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 305 (67 new cases, +91% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 35,198 (7,720 total cases)
— 11.8% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 488 (107 total deaths)
— 34.8% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 55.0% (12,073 fully vaccinated)

Megangen1990 // Wikimedia Commons

#9. Muhlenberg County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 307 (94 new cases, +40% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 34,834 (10,667 total cases)
— 10.6% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 402 (123 total deaths)
— 11.0% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 51.6% (15,797 fully vaccinated)

Turover // Wikimedia Commons

#8. Greenup County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 311 (109 new cases, -16% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 36,549 (12,828 total cases)
— 16.1% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 425 (149 total deaths)
— 17.4% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 53.0% (18,603 fully vaccinated)

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#7. Hardin County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 331 (367 new cases, +40% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 31,343 (34,778 total cases)
— 0.5% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 401 (445 total deaths)
— 10.8% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 64.8% (71,921 fully vaccinated)

Brian Stansberry // Wikimedia Commons

#6. Washington County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 331 (40 new cases, +25% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 34,246 (4,142 total cases)
— 8.8% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 513 (62 total deaths)
— 41.7% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 51.6% (6,239 fully vaccinated)

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#5. Leslie County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 344 (34 new cases, +48% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 39,344 (3,886 total cases)
— 25.0% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 496 (49 total deaths)
— 37.0% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 52.8% (5,212 fully vaccinated)

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#4. Breathitt County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 348 (44 new cases, +29% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 32,074 (4,051 total cases)
— 1.9% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 428 (54 total deaths)
— 18.2% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 53.1% (6,705 fully vaccinated)

Wdzinc // Wikimedia Commons

#3. Marion County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 348 (67 new cases, +40% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 34,608 (6,670 total cases)
— 9.9% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 446 (86 total deaths)
— 23.2% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 50.9% (9,803 fully vaccinated)

W.marsh // Wikimedia Commons

#2. Larue County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 354 (51 new cases, +122% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 27,136 (3,907 total cases)
— 13.8% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 514 (74 total deaths)
— 42.0% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 44.1% (6,343 fully vaccinated)

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#1. Perry County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 361 (93 new cases, +4% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 45,007 (11,593 total cases)
— 42.9% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 714 (184 total deaths)
— 97.2% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 62.7% (16,152 fully vaccinated)