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 Sep. 13 reached over 1 million COVID-19-related deaths and 95.3 million COVID-19 cases, according to Johns Hopkins University. Currently, 67.6% of the population is fully vaccinated, and 48.6% 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 Sep. 12, 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.

Brian Stansberry // Wikimedia Commons

#50. Harrison County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 360 (68 new cases, -30% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 40,776 (7,701 total cases)
— 17.8% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 450 (85 total deaths)
— 20.0% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 50.9% (9,608 fully vaccinated)

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#49. Casey County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 365 (59 new cases, -2% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 29,575 (4,779 total cases)
— 14.6% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 483 (78 total deaths)
— 28.8% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 36.9% (5,961 fully vaccinated)

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

#48. Fleming County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 370 (54 new cases, +32% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 31,068 (4,530 total cases)
— 10.3% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 453 (66 total deaths)
— 20.8% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 52.5% (7,650 fully vaccinated)

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#47. Grant County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 371 (93 new cases, +98% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 33,723 (8,454 total cases)
— 2.6% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 275 (69 total deaths)
— 26.7% less deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 50.0% (12,530 fully vaccinated)

Bedford // Wikimedia Commons

#46. Webster County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 371 (48 new cases, +30% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 34,431 (4,456 total cases)
— 0.5% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 394 (51 total deaths)
— 5.1% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 46.9% (6,064 fully vaccinated)

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

#45. Madison County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 374 (348 new cases, +55% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 34,347 (31,938 total cases)
— 0.8% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 312 (290 total deaths)
— 16.8% less deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 49.0% (45,574 fully vaccinated)

JERRYE & ROY KLOTZ MD // Wikimedia Commons

#44. Franklin County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 380 (194 new cases, +4% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 32,529 (16,587 total cases)
— 6.0% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 322 (164 total deaths)
— 14.1% less deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 62.4% (31,833 fully vaccinated)

W.marsh // Wikimedia Commons

#43. Woodford County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 382 (102 new cases, -16% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 31,574 (8,441 total cases)
— 8.8% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 202 (54 total deaths)
— 46.1% less deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 67.3% (17,991 fully vaccinated)

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#42. Gallatin County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 383 (34 new cases, +112% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 27,793 (2,465 total cases)
— 19.7% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 609 (54 total deaths)
— 62.4% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 41.8% (3,708 fully vaccinated)

W.marsh // Wikimedia Commons

#41. Montgomery County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 384 (108 new cases, -4% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 36,154 (10,180 total cases)
— 4.4% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 398 (112 total deaths)
— 6.1% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 47.6% (13,398 fully vaccinated)

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#40. Pike County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 385 (223 new cases, +64% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 38,315 (22,175 total cases)
— 10.7% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 577 (334 total deaths)
— 53.9% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 53.5% (30,941 fully vaccinated)

Hunter Hawley // Wikimedia Commons

#39. Breckinridge County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 386 (79 new cases, +5% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 29,228 (5,985 total cases)
— 15.6% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 415 (85 total deaths)
— 10.7% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 50.3% (10,290 fully vaccinated)

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#38. Lawrence County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 392 (60 new cases, -3% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 33,610 (5,148 total cases)
— 2.9% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 496 (76 total deaths)
— 32.3% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 49.3% (7,549 fully vaccinated)

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#37. Hardin County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 398 (442 new cases, -21% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 35,491 (39,380 total cases)
— 2.5% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 415 (461 total deaths)
— 10.7% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 66.2% (73,415 fully vaccinated)

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#36. Letcher County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 399 (86 new cases, -9% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 39,428 (8,498 total cases)
— 13.9% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 580 (125 total deaths)
— 54.7% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 53.8% (11,595 fully vaccinated)

w:User:Malepheasant // Wikimedia Commons

#35. Boyd County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 420 (196 new cases, +20% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 42,215 (19,722 total cases)
— 21.9% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 409 (191 total deaths)
— 9.1% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 50.4% (23,528 fully vaccinated)

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#34. Floyd County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 421 (150 new cases, +6% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 41,223 (14,671 total cases)
— 19.1% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 646 (230 total deaths)
— 72.3% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 57.9% (20,602 fully vaccinated)

HiB2Bornot2B // Wikimedia Commons

#33. Johnson County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 424 (94 new cases, -29% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 34,803 (7,722 total cases)
— 0.5% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 581 (129 total deaths)
— 54.9% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 51.0% (11,307 fully vaccinated)

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#32. Leslie County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 425 (42 new cases, -14% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 45,358 (4,480 total cases)
— 31.0% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 516 (51 total deaths)
— 37.6% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 53.0% (5,238 fully vaccinated)

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#31. Martin County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 447 (50 new cases, -28% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 34,310 (3,841 total cases)
— 0.9% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 438 (49 total deaths)
— 16.8% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 55.0% (6,154 fully vaccinated)

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

#30. Lincoln County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 448 (110 new cases, -20% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 32,050 (7,868 total cases)
— 7.4% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 566 (139 total deaths)
— 50.9% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 41.6% (10,221 fully vaccinated)

Wdzinc // Wikimedia Commons

#29. Marion County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 467 (90 new cases, +125% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 37,783 (7,282 total cases)
— 9.1% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 451 (87 total deaths)
— 20.3% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 51.2% (9,870 fully vaccinated)

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#28. Breathitt County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 475 (60 new cases, +9% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 36,888 (4,659 total cases)
— 6.5% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 443 (56 total deaths)
— 18.1% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 53.5% (6,754 fully vaccinated)

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#27. Magoffin County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 518 (63 new cases, -9% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 38,253 (4,652 total cases)
— 10.5% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 452 (55 total deaths)
— 20.5% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 51.7% (6,292 fully vaccinated)

W.marsh // Wikimedia Commons

#26. Bourbon County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 521 (103 new cases, +12% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 35,734 (7,071 total cases)
— 3.2% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 313 (62 total deaths)
— 16.5% less deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 59.2% (11,712 fully vaccinated)

Smceuen // Wikimedia Commons

#25. Carroll County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 527 (56 new cases, +33% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 37,005 (3,934 total cases)
— 6.9% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 480 (51 total deaths)
— 28.0% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 47.5% (5,049 fully vaccinated)

Jim.henderson // Wikimedia Commons

#24. Hopkins County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 528 (236 new cases, -12% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 39,225 (17,528 total cases)
— 13.3% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 589 (263 total deaths)
— 57.1% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 52.7% (23,542 fully vaccinated)

Christopher L. Riley // Wikimedia Commons

#23. Clark County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 538 (195 new cases, +97% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 35,066 (12,716 total cases)
— 1.3% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 210 (76 total deaths)
— 44.0% less deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 55.7% (20,184 fully vaccinated)

W.marsh // Wikimedia Commons

#22. Laurel County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 549 (334 new cases, -7% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 39,306 (23,903 total cases)
— 13.5% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 432 (263 total deaths)
— 15.2% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 41.0% (24,951 fully vaccinated)

Ryan Emmick // Wikimedia Commons

#21. Hancock County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 550 (48 new cases, +23% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 33,054 (2,883 total cases)
— 4.5% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 310 (27 total deaths)
— 17.3% less deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 60.2% (5,252 fully vaccinated)

Turover // Wikimedia Commons

#20. Greenup County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 556 (195 new cases, +88% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 41,453 (14,549 total cases)
— 19.7% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 436 (153 total deaths)
— 16.3% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 53.4% (18,753 fully vaccinated)

Chris Light // Wikimedia Commons

#19. Nelson County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 575 (266 new cases, +72% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 36,772 (17,001 total cases)
— 6.2% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 346 (160 total deaths)
— 7.7% less deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 53.2% (24,587 fully vaccinated)

W.marsh // Wikimedia Commons

#18. Bath County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 576 (72 new cases, -10% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 31,416 (3,927 total cases)
— 9.3% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 392 (49 total deaths)
— 4.5% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 54.9% (6,859 fully vaccinated)

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#17. Morgan County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 579 (77 new cases, +1% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 45,330 (6,033 total cases)
— 30.9% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 255 (34 total deaths)
— 32.0% less deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 48.9% (6,504 fully vaccinated)

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

#16. Whitley County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 590 (214 new cases, -10% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 43,070 (15,619 total cases)
— 24.4% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 587 (213 total deaths)
— 56.5% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 45.3% (16,420 fully vaccinated)

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#15. Estill County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 595 (84 new cases, +91% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 32,823 (4,630 total cases)
— 5.2% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 369 (52 total deaths)
— 1.6% less deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 53.2% (7,499 fully vaccinated)

C. Bedford Crenshaw // Wikimedia Commons

#14. Lewis County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 595 (79 new cases, +88% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 38,983 (5,175 total cases)
— 12.6% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 678 (90 total deaths)
— 80.8% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 40.1% (5,325 fully vaccinated)

Kybluegrass // Wikimedia Commons

#13. McCreary County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 609 (105 new cases, -19% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 39,098 (6,737 total cases)
— 12.9% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 493 (85 total deaths)
— 31.5% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 39.8% (6,862 fully vaccinated)

JERRYE & ROY KLOTZ MD // Wikimedia Commons

#12. Wayne County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 654 (133 new cases, +15% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 34,687 (7,053 total cases)
— 0.2% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 477 (97 total deaths)
— 27.2% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 43.0% (8,746 fully vaccinated)

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#11. Powell County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 712 (88 new cases, -21% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 45,133 (5,578 total cases)
— 30.4% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 388 (48 total deaths)
— 3.5% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 53.6% (6,627 fully vaccinated)

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#10. Knox County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 719 (224 new cases, -15% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 43,590 (13,576 total cases)
— 25.9% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 501 (156 total deaths)
— 33.6% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 37.3% (11,604 fully vaccinated)

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#9. Clay County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 724 (144 new cases, +85% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 43,882 (8,733 total cases)
— 26.7% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 497 (99 total deaths)
— 32.5% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 45.6% (9,069 fully vaccinated)

CoryClaxon // Wikimedia Commons

#8. Carter County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 735 (197 new cases, +58% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 39,150 (10,491 total cases)
— 13.1% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 418 (112 total deaths)
— 11.5% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 50.0% (13,401 fully vaccinated)

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#7. Menifee County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 786 (51 new cases, +55% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 31,900 (2,070 total cases)
— 7.9% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 524 (34 total deaths)
— 39.7% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 45.2% (2,930 fully vaccinated)

JERRYE & ROY KLOTZ MD // Wikimedia Commons

#6. Owsley County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 883 (39 new cases, +77% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 41,019 (1,811 total cases)
— 18.5% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 680 (30 total deaths)
— 81.3% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 48.2% (2,130 fully vaccinated)

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#5. Perry County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 908 (234 new cases, 0% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 52,803 (13,601 total cases)
— 52.5% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 738 (190 total deaths)
— 96.8% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 63.0% (16,215 fully vaccinated)

W.marsh // Wikimedia Commons

#4. Harlan County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 961 (250 new cases, -32% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 42,507 (11,056 total cases)
— 22.8% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 834 (217 total deaths)
— 122.4% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 47.1% (12,262 fully vaccinated)

W.marsh // Wikimedia Commons

#3. Rowan County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 1,018 (249 new cases, +124% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 34,084 (8,337 total cases)
— 1.6% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 303 (74 total deaths)
— 19.2% less deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 53.1% (12,986 fully vaccinated)

verygreen // Wikimedia Commons

#2. Rockcastle County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 1,066 (178 new cases, +59% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 35,442 (5,917 total cases)
— 2.4% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 377 (63 total deaths)
— 0.5% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 41.1% (6,868 fully vaccinated)

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#1. Wolfe County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 1,327 (95 new cases, +32% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 43,943 (3,145 total cases)
— 26.9% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 405 (29 total deaths)
— 8.0% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 54.6% (3,905 fully vaccinated)