JERRYE & ROY KLOTZ MD // 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 Oct. 12 reached over 1 million COVID-19-related deaths and 96.8 million COVID-19 cases, according to Johns Hopkins University. Currently, 68% of the population is fully vaccinated, and 48.9% 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 Oct. 8, 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.

Jim.henderson // Wikimedia Commons

#50. Hopkins County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 72 (32 new cases, +60% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 40,802 (18,233 total cases)
— 14.6% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 604 (270 total deaths)
— 58.1% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 53.0% (23,668 fully vaccinated)

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

#49. Whitley County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 72 (26 new cases, -4% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 44,874 (16,273 total cases)
— 26.0% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 604 (219 total deaths)
— 58.1% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 45.4% (16,481 fully vaccinated)

JERRYE & ROY KLOTZ MD // Wikimedia Commons

#48. Wayne County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 74 (15 new cases, -50% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 37,663 (7,658 total cases)
— 5.7% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 497 (101 total deaths)
— 30.1% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 43.3% (8,800 fully vaccinated)

Greg5030 // Wikimedia Commons

#47. Kenton County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 75 (125 new cases, +60% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 29,949 (50,014 total cases)
— 15.9% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 270 (451 total deaths)
— 29.3% less deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 62.2% (103,810 fully vaccinated)

Christopher L. Riley // Wikimedia Commons

#46. Fayette County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 75 (241 new cases, +15% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 35,278 (114,001 total cases)
— 1.0% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 204 (660 total deaths)
— 46.6% less deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 68.5% (221,296 fully vaccinated)

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#45. Allen County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 75 (16 new cases, +129% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 36,904 (7,866 total cases)
— 3.6% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 544 (116 total deaths)
— 42.4% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 40.4% (8,606 fully vaccinated)

Kybluegrass // Wikimedia Commons

#44. McCreary County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 75 (13 new cases, -19% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 41,483 (7,148 total cases)
— 16.5% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 499 (86 total deaths)
— 30.6% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 40.0% (6,888 fully vaccinated)

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#43. Marshall County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 77 (24 new cases, +60% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 30,415 (9,459 total cases)
— 14.6% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 399 (124 total deaths)
— 4.5% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 54.6% (16,980 fully vaccinated)

JERRYE & ROY KLOTZ MD // Wikimedia Commons

#42. Franklin County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 78 (40 new cases, 0% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 33,608 (17,137 total cases)
— 5.6% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 337 (172 total deaths)
— 11.8% less deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 62.8% (31,999 fully vaccinated)

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#41. Grant County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 80 (20 new cases, +122% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 36,092 (9,048 total cases)
— 1.3% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 275 (69 total deaths)
— 28.0% less deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 50.1% (12,572 fully vaccinated)

Rdikeman // Wikimedia Commons

#40. Campbell County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 83 (78 new cases, +95% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 29,557 (27,661 total cases)
— 17.0% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 212 (198 total deaths)
— 44.5% less deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 65.7% (61,446 fully vaccinated)

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#39. Spencer County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 83 (16 new cases, +220% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 33,073 (6,400 total cases)
— 7.1% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 331 (64 total deaths)
— 13.4% less deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 30.8% (5,969 fully vaccinated)

Patricia Drury // Wikimedia Commons

#38. Union County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 83 (12 new cases, -25% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 35,644 (5,126 total cases)
— 0.1% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 410 (59 total deaths)
— 7.3% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 43.4% (6,236 fully vaccinated)

JERRYE & ROY KLOTZ MD // Wikimedia Commons

#37. Hart County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 84 (16 new cases, +14% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 33,018 (6,285 total cases)
— 7.3% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 573 (109 total deaths)
— 50.0% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 36.4% (6,936 fully vaccinated)

Murray State // Wikimedia Commons

#36. Calloway County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 85 (33 new cases, +154% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 27,458 (10,709 total cases)
— 22.9% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 256 (100 total deaths)
— 33.0% less deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 47.2% (18,391 fully vaccinated)

Chris Watson // Wikicommons

#35. Jefferson County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 86 (662 new cases, +7% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 34,869 (267,363 total cases)
— 2.1% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 330 (2,531 total deaths)
— 13.6% less deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 65.8% (504,213 fully vaccinated)

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

#34. Madison County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 86 (80 new cases, +4% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 35,639 (33,140 total cases)
— 0.1% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 317 (295 total deaths)
— 17.0% less deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 49.3% (45,856 fully vaccinated)

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#33. Breathitt County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 87 (11 new cases, -31% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 39,248 (4,957 total cases)
— 10.2% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 475 (60 total deaths)
— 24.3% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 53.7% (6,787 fully vaccinated)

Hunter Hawley // Wikimedia Commons

#32. Breckinridge County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 88 (18 new cases, +6% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 30,278 (6,200 total cases)
— 15.0% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 430 (88 total deaths)
— 12.6% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 50.5% (10,336 fully vaccinated)

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#31. Barren County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 88 (39 new cases, +34% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 35,083 (15,524 total cases)
— 1.5% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 520 (230 total deaths)
— 36.1% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 47.2% (20,898 fully vaccinated)

Turover // Wikimedia Commons

#30. Greenup County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 88 (31 new cases, -30% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 43,339 (15,211 total cases)
— 21.7% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 442 (155 total deaths)
— 15.7% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 53.7% (18,841 fully vaccinated)

Brian Stansberry // Wikimedia Commons

#29. Harrison County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 90 (17 new cases, +31% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 42,195 (7,969 total cases)
— 18.5% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 455 (86 total deaths)
— 19.1% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 51.1% (9,660 fully vaccinated)

W.marsh // Wikimedia Commons

#28. Bullitt County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 91 (74 new cases, +37% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 32,553 (26,588 total cases)
— 8.6% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 293 (239 total deaths)
— 23.3% less deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 46.4% (37,893 fully vaccinated)

Chris Light // Wikimedia Commons

#27. Nelson County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 91 (42 new cases, -11% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 38,126 (17,627 total cases)
— 7.0% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 350 (162 total deaths)
— 8.4% less deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 53.4% (24,666 fully vaccinated)

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#26. Cumberland County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 91 (6 new cases, +200% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 38,948 (2,576 total cases)
— 9.3% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 499 (33 total deaths)
— 30.6% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 45.9% (3,035 fully vaccinated)

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#25. Hardin County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 93 (103 new cases, +13% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 36,636 (40,651 total cases)
— 2.9% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 426 (473 total deaths)
— 11.5% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 66.8% (74,083 fully vaccinated)

CoryClaxon // Wikimedia Commons

#24. Carter County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 93 (25 new cases, -11% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 41,210 (11,043 total cases)
— 15.7% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 425 (114 total deaths)
— 11.3% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 50.2% (13,448 fully vaccinated)

Christopher L. Riley // Wikimedia Commons

#23. Clark County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 94 (34 new cases, +42% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 36,503 (13,237 total cases)
— 2.5% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 218 (79 total deaths)
— 42.9% less deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 55.9% (20,277 fully vaccinated)

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#22. Taylor County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 97 (25 new cases, +14% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 42,765 (11,020 total cases)
— 20.1% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 516 (133 total deaths)
— 35.1% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 49.0% (12,620 fully vaccinated)

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#21. Livingston County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 98 (9 new cases, -10% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 31,814 (2,925 total cases)
— 10.7% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 696 (64 total deaths)
— 82.2% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 50.3% (4,621 fully vaccinated)

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#20. McLean County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 98 (9 new cases, +200% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 33,420 (3,077 total cases)
— 6.2% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 630 (58 total deaths)
— 64.9% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 52.4% (4,822 fully vaccinated)

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#19. Estill County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 99 (14 new cases, +40% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 34,241 (4,830 total cases)
— 3.9% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 390 (55 total deaths)
— 2.1% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 53.4% (7,537 fully vaccinated)

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#18. Henry County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 99 (16 new cases, +45% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 36,370 (5,865 total cases)
— 2.1% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 335 (54 total deaths)
— 12.3% less deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 54.7% (8,822 fully vaccinated)

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#17. Bell County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 100 (26 new cases, +86% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 40,031 (10,421 total cases)
— 12.4% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 630 (164 total deaths)
— 64.9% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 46.8% (12,177 fully vaccinated)

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#16. Green County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 101 (11 new cases, -48% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 40,097 (4,387 total cases)
— 12.6% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 448 (49 total deaths)
— 17.3% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 44.3% (4,847 fully vaccinated)

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#15. Powell County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 105 (13 new cases, -13% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 47,641 (5,888 total cases)
— 33.8% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 388 (48 total deaths)
— 1.6% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 53.8% (6,643 fully vaccinated)

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#14. Russell County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 106 (19 new cases, 0% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 42,526 (7,622 total cases)
— 19.4% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 519 (93 total deaths)
— 35.9% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 46.8% (8,389 fully vaccinated)

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#13. Pike County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 107 (62 new cases, -17% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 39,747 (23,004 total cases)
— 11.6% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 601 (348 total deaths)
— 57.3% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 53.6% (31,028 fully vaccinated)

W.marsh // Wikimedia Commons

#12. Rowan County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 119 (29 new cases, -3% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 36,472 (8,921 total cases)
— 2.4% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 307 (75 total deaths)
— 19.6% less deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 53.4% (13,052 fully vaccinated)

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#11. Elliott County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 120 (9 new cases, +200% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 42,663 (3,207 total cases)
— 19.8% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 293 (22 total deaths)
— 23.3% less deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 36.4% (2,733 fully vaccinated)

w:User:Malepheasant // Wikimedia Commons

#10. Boyd County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 131 (61 new cases, +5% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 44,274 (20,684 total cases)
— 24.3% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 417 (195 total deaths)
— 9.2% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 50.6% (23,646 fully vaccinated)

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#9. Floyd County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 138 (49 new cases, -21% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 43,213 (15,379 total cases)
— 21.3% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 663 (236 total deaths)
— 73.6% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 58.1% (20,677 fully vaccinated)

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#8. Clay County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 141 (28 new cases, +65% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 46,204 (9,195 total cases)
— 29.7% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 508 (101 total deaths)
— 33.0% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 45.8% (9,108 fully vaccinated)

Wdzinc // Wikimedia Commons

#7. Marion County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 161 (31 new cases, +182% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 39,267 (7,568 total cases)
— 10.2% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 462 (89 total deaths)
— 20.9% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 51.3% (9,891 fully vaccinated)

Brian Stansberry // Wikimedia Commons

#6. Washington County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 207 (25 new cases, +150% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 38,735 (4,685 total cases)
— 8.7% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 537 (65 total deaths)
— 40.6% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 52.2% (6,311 fully vaccinated)

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#5. Perry County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 268 (69 new cases, +8% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 57,097 (14,707 total cases)
— 60.3% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 765 (197 total deaths)
— 100.3% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 63.1% (16,266 fully vaccinated)

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#4. Knott County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 290 (43 new cases, +8% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 37,228 (5,512 total cases)
— 4.5% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 486 (72 total deaths)
— 27.2% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 48.8% (7,224 fully vaccinated)

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#3. Letcher County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 306 (66 new cases, -4% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 41,878 (9,026 total cases)
— 17.6% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 612 (132 total deaths)
— 60.2% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 53.9% (11,611 fully vaccinated)

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#2. Leslie County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 314 (31 new cases, +41% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 47,950 (4,736 total cases)
— 34.6% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 537 (53 total deaths)
— 40.6% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 53.1% (5,249 fully vaccinated)

JERRYE & ROY KLOTZ MD // Wikimedia Commons

#1. Owsley County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 317 (14 new cases, +133% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 44,168 (1,950 total cases)
— 24.0% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 725 (32 total deaths)
— 89.8% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 48.4% (2,138 fully vaccinated)