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. 20 reached over 1 million COVID-19-related deaths and 89.9 million COVID-19 cases, according to Johns Hopkins University. Currently, 67.1% of the population is fully vaccinated, and 48.1% 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 Jul. 19, 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. Larue County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 285 (41 new cases, +41% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 27,650 (3,981 total cases)
— 13.8% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 514 (74 total deaths)
— 40.8% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 44.1% (6,348 fully vaccinated)

Chris Watson // Wikicommons

#49. Jefferson County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 285 (2,185 new cases, +34% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 32,109 (246,197 total cases)
— 0.1% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 318 (2,439 total deaths)
— 12.9% less deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 64.8% (496,860 fully vaccinated)

W.marsh // Wikimedia Commons

#48. Robertson County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 285 (6 new cases, +100% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 33,918 (715 total cases)
— 5.7% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 996 (21 total deaths)
— 172.9% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 38.9% (821 fully vaccinated)

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#47. Taylor County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 291 (75 new cases, +29% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 38,845 (10,010 total cases)
— 21.1% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 501 (129 total deaths)
— 37.3% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 48.6% (12,513 fully vaccinated)

W.marsh // Wikimedia Commons

#46. Owen County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 294 (32 new cases, +60% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 23,135 (2,522 total cases)
— 27.9% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 312 (34 total deaths)
— 14.5% less deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 38.0% (4,142 fully vaccinated)

W.marsh // Wikimedia Commons

#45. Montgomery County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 298 (84 new cases, +5% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 33,395 (9,403 total cases)
— 4.1% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 391 (110 total deaths)
— 7.1% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 47.4% (13,337 fully vaccinated)

Bedford // Wikimedia Commons

#44. Logan County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 299 (81 new cases, +37% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 32,363 (8,771 total cases)
— 0.9% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 476 (129 total deaths)
— 30.4% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 51.4% (13,934 fully vaccinated)

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#43. Knox County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 302 (94 new cases, +12% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 38,899 (12,115 total cases)
— 21.2% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 488 (152 total deaths)
— 33.7% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 37.0% (11,524 fully vaccinated)

W.marsh // Wikimedia Commons

#42. Scott County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 305 (174 new cases, +12% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 33,899 (19,324 total cases)
— 5.6% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 202 (115 total deaths)
— 44.7% less deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 56.3% (32,104 fully vaccinated)

Turover // Wikimedia Commons

#41. Greenup County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 308 (108 new cases, -6% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 37,230 (13,067 total cases)
— 16.0% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 430 (151 total deaths)
— 17.8% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 53.1% (18,629 fully vaccinated)

W.marsh // Wikimedia Commons

#40. Bath County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 312 (39 new cases, +70% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 27,552 (3,444 total cases)
— 14.1% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 392 (49 total deaths)
— 7.4% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 54.4% (6,798 fully vaccinated)

Dcoetzee // Wikimedia Commons

#39. Trigg County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 314 (46 new cases, +92% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 29,001 (4,249 total cases)
— 9.6% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 307 (45 total deaths)
— 15.9% less deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 47.5% (6,958 fully vaccinated)

JERRYE & ROY KLOTZ MD // Wikimedia Commons

#38. Franklin County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 316 (161 new cases, +55% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 29,595 (15,091 total cases)
— 7.8% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 312 (159 total deaths)
— 14.5% less deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 62.1% (31,664 fully vaccinated)

Bedford // Wikimedia Commons

#37. Webster County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 317 (41 new cases, +86% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 31,688 (4,101 total cases)
— 1.3% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 386 (50 total deaths)
— 5.8% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 46.6% (6,028 fully vaccinated)

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#36. Breathitt County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 317 (40 new cases, -7% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 32,874 (4,152 total cases)
— 2.4% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 443 (56 total deaths)
— 21.4% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 53.2% (6,715 fully vaccinated)

Wdzinc // Wikimedia Commons

#35. Marion County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 317 (61 new cases, +5% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 35,215 (6,787 total cases)
— 9.7% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 446 (86 total deaths)
— 22.2% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 51.0% (9,821 fully vaccinated)

w.marsh // Wikimedia Commons

#34. Henderson County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 319 (144 new cases, +115% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 32,411 (14,653 total cases)
— 1.0% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 385 (174 total deaths)
— 5.5% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 52.3% (23,630 fully vaccinated)

Joel Bradshaw // Wikimedia Commons

#33. Ohio County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 321 (77 new cases, +57% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 31,887 (7,651 total cases)
— 0.6% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 438 (105 total deaths)
— 20.0% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 40.3% (9,678 fully vaccinated)

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#32. Pike County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 321 (186 new cases, +31% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 35,241 (20,396 total cases)
— 9.8% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 553 (320 total deaths)
— 51.5% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 53.3% (30,830 fully vaccinated)

Brian Stansberry // Wikimedia Commons

#31. Washington County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 322 (39 new cases, -22% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 35,039 (4,238 total cases)
— 9.2% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 513 (62 total deaths)
— 40.5% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 51.6% (6,247 fully vaccinated)

W.marsh // Wikimedia Commons

#30. Laurel County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 322 (196 new cases, +52% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 35,402 (21,529 total cases)
— 10.3% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 414 (252 total deaths)
— 13.4% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 40.8% (24,839 fully vaccinated)

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#29. Morgan County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 323 (43 new cases, +153% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 41,927 (5,580 total cases)
— 30.7% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 248 (33 total deaths)
— 32.1% less deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 48.7% (6,479 fully vaccinated)

CoryClaxon // Wikimedia Commons

#28. Carter County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 325 (87 new cases, +28% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 34,847 (9,338 total cases)
— 8.6% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 407 (109 total deaths)
— 11.5% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 49.7% (13,318 fully vaccinated)

Murray State // Wikimedia Commons

#27. Calloway County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 326 (127 new cases, +105% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 24,681 (9,626 total cases)
— 23.1% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 251 (98 total deaths)
— 31.2% less deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 46.3% (18,061 fully vaccinated)

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#26. Nicholas County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 330 (24 new cases, +71% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 31,132 (2,263 total cases)
— 3.0% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 440 (32 total deaths)
— 20.5% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 53.4% (3,882 fully vaccinated)

Christopher L. Riley // Wikimedia Commons

#25. Clark County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 334 (121 new cases, +22% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 32,171 (11,666 total cases)
— 0.3% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 201 (73 total deaths)
— 44.9% less deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 55.3% (20,065 fully vaccinated)

Bfreas // Wikimedia Commons

#24. Simpson County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 334 (62 new cases, +15% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 32,608 (6,056 total cases)
— 1.6% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 517 (96 total deaths)
— 41.6% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 51.3% (9,522 fully vaccinated)

Huw Williams (Huwmanbeing) // Wikimedia Commons

#23. Grayson County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 337 (89 new cases, +98% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 31,903 (8,431 total cases)
— 0.6% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 515 (136 total deaths)
— 41.1% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 52.0% (13,738 fully vaccinated)

Chris Light // Wikimedia Commons

#22. Nelson County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 337 (156 new cases, +24% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 33,491 (15,484 total cases)
— 4.4% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 340 (157 total deaths)
— 6.8% less deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 52.8% (24,417 fully vaccinated)

Patricia Drury // Wikimedia Commons

#21. Union County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 341 (49 new cases, +123% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 31,291 (4,500 total cases)
— 2.5% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 396 (57 total deaths)
— 8.5% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 43.0% (6,180 fully vaccinated)

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#20. Lyon County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 341 (28 new cases, -22% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 37,844 (3,107 total cases)
— 17.9% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 438 (36 total deaths)
— 20.0% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 58.7% (4,823 fully vaccinated)

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#19. Hardin County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 343 (381 new cases, +11% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 32,002 (35,509 total cases)
— 0.3% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 404 (448 total deaths)
— 10.7% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 65.0% (72,090 fully vaccinated)

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#18. Knott County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 344 (51 new cases, +70% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 30,474 (4,512 total cases)
— 5.0% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 446 (66 total deaths)
— 22.2% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 48.3% (7,156 fully vaccinated)

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#17. Magoffin County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 345 (42 new cases, +91% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 34,471 (4,192 total cases)
— 7.4% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 436 (53 total deaths)
— 19.5% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 51.5% (6,268 fully vaccinated)

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#16. Letcher County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 348 (75 new cases, +42% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 34,900 (7,522 total cases)
— 8.8% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 552 (119 total deaths)
— 51.2% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 53.6% (11,561 fully vaccinated)

Brian Stansberry // Wikimedia Commons

#15. Harrison County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 355 (67 new cases, +72% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 37,229 (7,031 total cases)
— 16.0% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 424 (80 total deaths)
— 16.2% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 50.6% (9,563 fully vaccinated)

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#14. Floyd County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 357 (127 new cases, +31% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 37,096 (13,202 total cases)
— 15.6% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 624 (222 total deaths)
— 71.0% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 57.6% (20,489 fully vaccinated)

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#13. Elliott County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 372 (28 new cases, +300% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 37,329 (2,806 total cases)
— 16.3% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 266 (20 total deaths)
— 27.1% less deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 36.1% (2,710 fully vaccinated)

Jim.henderson // Wikimedia Commons

#12. Hopkins County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 374 (167 new cases, +104% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 35,259 (15,756 total cases)
— 9.9% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 577 (258 total deaths)
— 58.1% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 52.3% (23,384 fully vaccinated)

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#11. Leslie County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 385 (38 new cases, +12% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 40,043 (3,955 total cases)
— 24.8% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 496 (49 total deaths)
— 35.9% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 52.8% (5,215 fully vaccinated)

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#10. Powell County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 388 (48 new cases, +50% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 40,594 (5,017 total cases)
— 26.5% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 364 (45 total deaths)
— 0.3% less deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 53.3% (6,589 fully vaccinated)

W.marsh // Wikimedia Commons

#9. Bourbon County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 389 (77 new cases, +92% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 32,697 (6,470 total cases)
— 1.9% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 308 (61 total deaths)
— 15.6% less deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 58.7% (11,610 fully vaccinated)

Farragutful // Wikimedia Commons

#8. Daviess County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 391 (397 new cases, +53% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 32,315 (32,803 total cases)
— 0.7% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 389 (395 total deaths)
— 6.6% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 54.7% (55,552 fully vaccinated)

HiB2Bornot2B // Wikimedia Commons

#7. Johnson County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 406 (90 new cases, +36% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 31,571 (7,005 total cases)
— 1.6% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 563 (125 total deaths)
— 54.2% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 50.7% (11,254 fully vaccinated)

W.marsh // Wikimedia Commons

#6. Rowan County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 409 (100 new cases, +11% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 29,849 (7,301 total cases)
— 7.0% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 298 (73 total deaths)
— 18.4% less deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 52.8% (12,911 fully vaccinated)

w:User:Malepheasant // Wikimedia Commons

#5. Boyd County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 420 (196 new cases, +24% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 38,022 (17,763 total cases)
— 18.5% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 392 (183 total deaths)
— 7.4% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 49.9% (23,310 fully vaccinated)

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#4. Mercer County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 451 (99 new cases, +74% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 35,896 (7,873 total cases)
— 11.9% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 492 (108 total deaths)
— 34.8% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 55.1% (12,089 fully vaccinated)

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#3. Perry County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 458 (118 new cases, +5% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 45,885 (11,819 total cases)
— 43.0% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 718 (185 total deaths)
— 96.7% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 62.8% (16,165 fully vaccinated)

Megangen1990 // Wikimedia Commons

#2. Muhlenberg County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 460 (141 new cases, +60% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 35,514 (10,875 total cases)
— 10.7% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 405 (124 total deaths)
— 11.0% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 51.7% (15,817 fully vaccinated)

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#1. Wolfe County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 587 (42 new cases, +121% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 38,117 (2,728 total cases)
— 18.8% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 405 (29 total deaths)
— 11.0% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 54.4% (3,893 fully vaccinated)