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 Aug. 10 reached over 1 million COVID-19-related deaths and 92.4 million COVID-19 cases, according to Johns Hopkins University. Currently, 67.2% of the population is fully vaccinated, and 48.2% 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 Aug. 9, 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.

Chris Watson // Wikicommons

#50. Jefferson County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 275 (2,111 new cases, -13% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 33,344 (255,670 total cases)
— 0.0% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 320 (2,455 total deaths)
— 13.3% less deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 65.0% (498,669 fully vaccinated)

JERRYE & ROY KLOTZ MD // Wikimedia Commons

#49. Hart County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 278 (53 new cases, -15% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 30,985 (5,898 total cases)
— 7.1% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 562 (107 total deaths)
— 52.3% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 36.2% (6,884 fully vaccinated)

W.marsh // Wikimedia Commons

#48. Robertson County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 285 (6 new cases, -60% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 35,294 (744 total cases)
— 5.8% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 996 (21 total deaths)
— 169.9% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 39.0% (822 fully vaccinated)

W.marsh // Wikimedia Commons

#47. Woodford County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 288 (77 new cases, -18% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 29,966 (8,011 total cases)
— 10.2% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 198 (53 total deaths)
— 46.3% less deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 67.0% (17,918 fully vaccinated)

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#46. McLean County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 293 (27 new cases, -27% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 31,291 (2,881 total cases)
— 6.2% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 597 (55 total deaths)
— 61.8% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 51.6% (4,754 fully vaccinated)

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#45. Morgan County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 293 (39 new cases, +18% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 43,151 (5,743 total cases)
— 29.4% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 248 (33 total deaths)
— 32.8% less deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 48.7% (6,482 fully vaccinated)

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#44. Henry County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 298 (48 new cases, -20% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 34,218 (5,518 total cases)
— 2.6% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 329 (53 total deaths)
— 10.8% less deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 54.3% (8,756 fully vaccinated)

OPMaster // Wikimedia Commons

#43. Warren County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 298 (396 new cases, -2% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 35,508 (47,189 total cases)
— 6.4% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 293 (389 total deaths)
— 20.6% less deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 39.3% (52,203 fully vaccinated)

Christopher L. Riley // Wikimedia Commons

#42. Clark County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 309 (112 new cases, -13% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 33,591 (12,181 total cases)
— 0.7% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 207 (75 total deaths)
— 43.9% less deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 55.5% (20,115 fully vaccinated)

Patricia Drury // Wikimedia Commons

#41. Union County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 313 (45 new cases, -42% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 32,995 (4,745 total cases)
— 1.1% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 396 (57 total deaths)
— 7.3% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 43.1% (6,196 fully vaccinated)

W.marsh // Wikimedia Commons

#40. Larue County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 319 (46 new cases, +21% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 28,872 (4,157 total cases)
— 13.5% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 521 (75 total deaths)
— 41.2% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 44.2% (6,365 fully vaccinated)

Farragutful // Wikimedia Commons

#39. Daviess County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 319 (324 new cases, +7% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 33,559 (34,066 total cases)
— 0.6% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 394 (400 total deaths)
— 6.8% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 54.8% (55,673 fully vaccinated)

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#38. Anderson County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 321 (73 new cases, -8% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 32,439 (7,379 total cases)
— 2.8% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 321 (73 total deaths)
— 13.0% less deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 56.4% (12,827 fully vaccinated)

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#37. Wolfe County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 321 (23 new cases, -28% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 39,667 (2,839 total cases)
— 18.9% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 405 (29 total deaths)
— 9.8% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 54.5% (3,898 fully vaccinated)

C. Bedford Crenshaw // Wikimedia Commons

#36. Lewis County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 324 (43 new cases, +16% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 37,288 (4,950 total cases)
— 11.8% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 670 (89 total deaths)
— 81.6% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 39.9% (5,296 fully vaccinated)

W.marsh // Wikimedia Commons

#35. Lee County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 324 (24 new cases, -17% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 41,794 (3,094 total cases)
— 25.3% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 756 (56 total deaths)
— 104.9% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 50.3% (3,725 fully vaccinated)

Bedford // Wikimedia Commons

#34. Webster County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 325 (42 new cases, +17% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 33,017 (4,273 total cases)
— 1.0% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 386 (50 total deaths)
— 4.6% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 46.7% (6,043 fully vaccinated)

Kybluegrass // Wikimedia Commons

#33. McCreary County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 325 (56 new cases, +6% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 35,384 (6,097 total cases)
— 6.1% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 487 (84 total deaths)
— 32.0% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 39.7% (6,833 fully vaccinated)

Hunter Hawley // Wikimedia Commons

#32. Breckinridge County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 327 (67 new cases, +10% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 27,543 (5,640 total cases)
— 17.4% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 410 (84 total deaths)
— 11.1% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 50.0% (10,238 fully vaccinated)

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#31. Allen County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 338 (72 new cases, +24% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 34,206 (7,291 total cases)
— 2.5% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 521 (111 total deaths)
— 41.2% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 40.2% (8,562 fully vaccinated)

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#30. Pike County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 347 (201 new cases, -19% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 36,810 (21,304 total cases)
— 10.3% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 568 (329 total deaths)
— 53.9% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 53.4% (30,889 fully vaccinated)

Dcoetzee // Wikimedia Commons

#29. Trigg County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 348 (51 new cases, +34% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 30,080 (4,407 total cases)
— 9.8% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 307 (45 total deaths)
— 16.8% less deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 47.7% (6,983 fully vaccinated)

Bfreas // Wikimedia Commons

#28. Simpson County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 350 (65 new cases, -12% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 33,890 (6,294 total cases)
— 1.6% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 517 (96 total deaths)
— 40.1% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 51.4% (9,551 fully vaccinated)

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#27. Powell County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 356 (44 new cases, -46% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 42,414 (5,242 total cases)
— 27.1% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 364 (45 total deaths)
— 1.4% less deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 53.5% (6,607 fully vaccinated)

W.marsh // Wikimedia Commons

#26. Harlan County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 361 (94 new cases, -7% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 38,328 (9,969 total cases)
— 14.9% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 830 (216 total deaths)
— 124.9% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 47.0% (12,213 fully vaccinated)

W.marsh // Wikimedia Commons

#25. Laurel County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 365 (222 new cases, +9% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 36,893 (22,436 total cases)
— 10.6% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 421 (256 total deaths)
— 14.1% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 40.9% (24,900 fully vaccinated)

Jim.henderson // Wikimedia Commons

#24. Hopkins County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 376 (168 new cases, -12% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 36,873 (16,477 total cases)
— 10.5% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 580 (259 total deaths)
— 57.2% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 52.5% (23,454 fully vaccinated)

CoryClaxon // Wikimedia Commons

#23. Carter County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 377 (101 new cases, -15% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 36,810 (9,864 total cases)
— 10.3% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 414 (111 total deaths)
— 12.2% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 49.8% (13,351 fully vaccinated)

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#22. Magoffin County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 386 (47 new cases, +2% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 35,976 (4,375 total cases)
— 7.8% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 452 (55 total deaths)
— 22.5% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 51.6% (6,275 fully vaccinated)

No machine-readable author provided. Blinutne assumed (based on copyright claims). // Wikimedia Commons

#21. Whitley County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 386 (140 new cases, +20% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 41,159 (14,926 total cases)
— 23.4% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 587 (213 total deaths)
— 59.1% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 45.1% (16,358 fully vaccinated)

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#20. Hardin County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 388 (430 new cases, -7% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 33,587 (37,267 total cases)
— 0.7% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 412 (457 total deaths)
— 11.7% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 65.3% (72,446 fully vaccinated)

Ryan Emmick // Wikimedia Commons

#19. Hancock County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 401 (35 new cases, +40% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 31,392 (2,738 total cases)
— 5.9% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 298 (26 total deaths)
— 19.2% less deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 60.0% (5,235 fully vaccinated)

W.marsh // Wikimedia Commons

#18. Owen County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 404 (44 new cases, -6% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 24,512 (2,672 total cases)
— 26.5% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 321 (35 total deaths)
— 13.0% less deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 38.1% (4,158 fully vaccinated)

verygreen // Wikimedia Commons

#17. Rockcastle County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 413 (69 new cases, +17% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 32,477 (5,422 total cases)
— 2.6% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 377 (63 total deaths)
— 2.2% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 41.0% (6,850 fully vaccinated)

w.marsh // Wikimedia Commons

#16. Henderson County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 422 (191 new cases, +10% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 33,933 (15,341 total cases)
— 1.7% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 385 (174 total deaths)
— 4.3% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 52.5% (23,720 fully vaccinated)

JERRYE & ROY KLOTZ MD // Wikimedia Commons

#15. Wayne County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 423 (86 new cases, +100% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 32,617 (6,632 total cases)
— 2.2% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 467 (95 total deaths)
— 26.6% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 42.8% (8,712 fully vaccinated)

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#14. Elliott County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 452 (34 new cases, -32% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 39,138 (2,942 total cases)
— 17.3% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 266 (20 total deaths)
— 27.9% less deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 36.1% (2,714 fully vaccinated)

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#13. Floyd County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 455 (162 new cases, -20% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 39,203 (13,952 total cases)
— 17.5% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 635 (226 total deaths)
— 72.1% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 57.7% (20,535 fully vaccinated)

W.marsh // Wikimedia Commons

#12. Bath County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 464 (58 new cases, +16% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 29,112 (3,639 total cases)
— 12.7% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 392 (49 total deaths)
— 6.2% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 54.5% (6,810 fully vaccinated)

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#11. Bell County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 472 (123 new cases, +8% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 36,732 (9,562 total cases)
— 10.1% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 618 (161 total deaths)
— 67.5% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 46.4% (12,075 fully vaccinated)

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#10. Knox County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 475 (148 new cases, +36% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 40,575 (12,637 total cases)
— 21.6% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 491 (153 total deaths)
— 33.1% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 37.1% (11,558 fully vaccinated)

Turover // Wikimedia Commons

#9. Greenup County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 482 (169 new cases, -3% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 39,458 (13,849 total cases)
— 18.3% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 430 (151 total deaths)
— 16.5% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 53.2% (18,686 fully vaccinated)

W.marsh // Wikimedia Commons

#8. Rowan County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 495 (121 new cases, +39% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 31,415 (7,684 total cases)
— 5.8% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 303 (74 total deaths)
— 17.9% less deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 52.9% (12,949 fully vaccinated)

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#7. Knott County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 500 (74 new cases, -24% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 32,743 (4,848 total cases)
— 1.8% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 446 (66 total deaths)
— 20.9% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 48.4% (7,168 fully vaccinated)

w:User:Malepheasant // Wikimedia Commons

#6. Boyd County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 505 (236 new cases, +3% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 40,154 (18,759 total cases)
— 20.4% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 398 (186 total deaths)
— 7.9% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 50.1% (23,398 fully vaccinated)

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#5. Letcher County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 547 (118 new cases, -7% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 37,197 (8,017 total cases)
— 11.5% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 571 (123 total deaths)
— 54.7% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 53.7% (11,580 fully vaccinated)

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#4. Cumberland County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 620 (41 new cases, +71% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 36,377 (2,406 total cases)
— 9.0% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 499 (33 total deaths)
— 35.2% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 45.4% (3,000 fully vaccinated)

JERRYE & ROY KLOTZ MD // Wikimedia Commons

#3. Owsley County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 634 (28 new cases, +75% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 38,029 (1,679 total cases)
— 14.0% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 680 (30 total deaths)
— 84.3% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 48.0% (2,119 fully vaccinated)

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#2. Leslie County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 658 (65 new cases, +38% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 42,310 (4,179 total cases)
— 26.8% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 506 (50 total deaths)
— 37.1% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 52.9% (5,226 fully vaccinated)

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#1. Perry County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 676 (174 new cases, -16% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 48,835 (12,579 total cases)
— 46.4% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 722 (186 total deaths)
— 95.7% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 62.8% (16,185 fully vaccinated)