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 Oct. 18 reached over 1 million COVID-19-related deaths and 97 million COVID-19 cases, according to Johns Hopkins University. Currently, 68.1% of the population is fully vaccinated, and 49% 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. 13, 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.

Murray State // Wikimedia Commons

#50. Calloway County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 54 (21 new cases, -25% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 27,586 (10,759 total cases)
— 23.0% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 259 (101 total deaths)
— 32.6% less deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 47.2% (18,411 fully vaccinated)

W.marsh // Wikimedia Commons

#49. Boone County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 55 (73 new cases, -36% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 32,795 (43,808 total cases)
— 8.4% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 246 (329 total deaths)
— 35.9% less deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 64.0% (85,456 fully vaccinated)

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#48. Pike County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 55 (32 new cases, -54% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 39,934 (23,112 total cases)
— 11.5% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 603 (349 total deaths)
— 57.0% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 53.7% (31,053 fully vaccinated)

W.marsh // Wikimedia Commons

#47. Shelby County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 57 (28 new cases, -20% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 32,433 (15,900 total cases)
— 9.4% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 355 (174 total deaths)
— 7.6% less deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 48.0% (23,546 fully vaccinated)

W.marsh // Wikimedia Commons

#46. Oldham County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 57 (38 new cases, +3% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 32,490 (21,703 total cases)
— 9.3% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 234 (156 total deaths)
— 39.1% less deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 58.7% (39,183 fully vaccinated)

Christopher L. Riley // Wikimedia Commons

#45. Boyle County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 57 (17 new cases, -29% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 35,236 (10,592 total cases)
— 1.6% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 486 (146 total deaths)
— 26.6% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 58.5% (17,576 fully vaccinated)

Kybluegrass // Wikimedia Commons

#44. McCreary County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 58 (10 new cases, -33% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 42,046 (7,245 total cases)
— 17.4% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 499 (86 total deaths)
— 29.9% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 40.0% (6,895 fully vaccinated)

Turover // Wikimedia Commons

#43. Greenup County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 60 (21 new cases, -22% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 43,592 (15,300 total cases)
— 21.7% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 442 (155 total deaths)
— 15.1% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 53.8% (18,869 fully vaccinated)

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#42. Clay County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 60 (12 new cases, -57% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 46,530 (9,260 total cases)
— 29.9% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 513 (102 total deaths)
— 33.6% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 45.8% (9,115 fully vaccinated)

Greg5030 // Wikimedia Commons

#41. Kenton County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 63 (105 new cases, -26% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 30,149 (50,349 total cases)
— 15.8% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 271 (452 total deaths)
— 29.4% less deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 62.3% (103,959 fully vaccinated)

W.marsh // Wikimedia Commons

#40. Woodford County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 64 (17 new cases, -6% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 32,909 (8,798 total cases)
— 8.1% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 209 (56 total deaths)
— 45.6% less deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 67.9% (18,148 fully vaccinated)

W.marsh // Wikimedia Commons

#39. Bath County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 64 (8 new cases, -33% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 33,248 (4,156 total cases)
— 7.2% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 400 (50 total deaths)
— 4.2% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 55.1% (6,889 fully vaccinated)

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#38. McLean County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 65 (6 new cases, +50% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 33,616 (3,095 total cases)
— 6.1% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 630 (58 total deaths)
— 64.1% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 52.4% (4,825 fully vaccinated)

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#37. Lawrence County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 65 (10 new cases, +43% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 34,530 (5,289 total cases)
— 3.6% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 503 (77 total deaths)
— 31.0% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 49.5% (7,575 fully vaccinated)

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#36. Powell County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 65 (8 new cases, -38% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 47,957 (5,927 total cases)
— 33.9% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 388 (48 total deaths)
— 1.0% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 53.8% (6,648 fully vaccinated)

verygreen // Wikimedia Commons

#35. Rockcastle County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 66 (11 new cases, +38% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 37,137 (6,200 total cases)
— 3.7% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 383 (64 total deaths)
— 0.3% less deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 41.3% (6,897 fully vaccinated)

Brian Stansberry // Wikimedia Commons

#34. Washington County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 66 (8 new cases, -58% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 38,892 (4,704 total cases)
— 8.6% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 546 (66 total deaths)
— 42.2% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 52.2% (6,314 fully vaccinated)

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#33. Spencer County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 67 (13 new cases, -7% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 33,352 (6,454 total cases)
— 6.9% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 336 (65 total deaths)
— 12.5% less deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 30.9% (5,974 fully vaccinated)

Wdzinc // Wikimedia Commons

#32. Marion County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 67 (13 new cases, -58% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 39,444 (7,602 total cases)
— 10.1% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 462 (89 total deaths)
— 20.3% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 51.4% (9,898 fully vaccinated)

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#31. Hardin County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 70 (78 new cases, -26% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 36,783 (40,814 total cases)
— 2.7% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 429 (476 total deaths)
— 11.7% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 66.9% (74,193 fully vaccinated)

Chris Watson // Wikicommons

#30. Jefferson County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 72 (552 new cases, -16% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 35,068 (268,885 total cases)
— 2.1% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 331 (2,541 total deaths)
— 13.8% less deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 65.9% (504,949 fully vaccinated)

W.marsh // Wikimedia Commons

#29. Scott County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 72 (41 new cases, -5% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 37,738 (21,512 total cases)
— 5.4% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 209 (119 total deaths)
— 45.6% less deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 57.1% (32,550 fully vaccinated)

W.marsh // Wikimedia Commons

#28. Adair County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 73 (14 new cases, -7% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 37,564 (7,213 total cases)
— 4.9% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 583 (112 total deaths)
— 51.8% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 40.1% (7,703 fully vaccinated)

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#27. Casey County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 74 (12 new cases, +50% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 30,943 (5,000 total cases)
— 13.6% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 489 (79 total deaths)
— 27.3% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 37.1% (5,999 fully vaccinated)

JERRYE & ROY KLOTZ MD // Wikimedia Commons

#26. Hart County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 74 (14 new cases, +17% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 33,244 (6,328 total cases)
— 7.2% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 573 (109 total deaths)
— 49.2% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 36.5% (6,941 fully vaccinated)

Huw Williams (Huwmanbeing) // Wikimedia Commons

#25. Grayson County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 76 (20 new cases, +54% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 35,520 (9,387 total cases)
— 0.8% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 549 (145 total deaths)
— 43.0% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 52.7% (13,927 fully vaccinated)

CoryClaxon // Wikimedia Commons

#24. Carter County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 78 (21 new cases, -16% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 41,445 (11,106 total cases)
— 15.7% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 425 (114 total deaths)
— 10.7% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 50.2% (13,459 fully vaccinated)

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#23. Gallatin County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 79 (7 new cases, +40% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 28,853 (2,559 total cases)
— 19.4% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 620 (55 total deaths)
— 61.5% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 41.9% (3,716 fully vaccinated)

W.marsh // Wikimedia Commons

#22. Bullitt County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 80 (65 new cases, -14% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 32,717 (26,722 total cases)
— 8.6% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 295 (241 total deaths)
— 23.2% less deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 46.5% (37,941 fully vaccinated)

Bfreas // Wikimedia Commons

#21. Simpson County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 81 (15 new cases, +67% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 36,323 (6,746 total cases)
— 1.4% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 538 (100 total deaths)
— 40.1% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 51.9% (9,634 fully vaccinated)

W.marsh // Wikimedia Commons

#20. Harlan County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 81 (21 new cases, +5% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 45,798 (11,912 total cases)
— 27.9% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 850 (221 total deaths)
— 121.4% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 47.3% (12,303 fully vaccinated)

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#19. Leslie County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 81 (8 new cases, -72% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 48,284 (4,769 total cases)
— 34.8% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 557 (55 total deaths)
— 45.1% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 53.2% (5,252 fully vaccinated)

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#18. Floyd County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 84 (30 new cases, -44% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 43,705 (15,554 total cases)
— 22.0% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 663 (236 total deaths)
— 72.7% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 58.1% (20,685 fully vaccinated)

Brian Stansberry // Wikimedia Commons

#17. Harrison County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 85 (16 new cases, -11% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 42,481 (8,023 total cases)
— 18.6% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 455 (86 total deaths)
— 18.5% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 51.2% (9,667 fully vaccinated)

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#16. Henry County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 87 (14 new cases, -7% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 36,742 (5,925 total cases)
— 2.6% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 335 (54 total deaths)
— 12.8% less deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 54.7% (8,825 fully vaccinated)

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#15. Breathitt County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 87 (11 new cases, -15% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 39,565 (4,997 total cases)
— 10.5% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 491 (62 total deaths)
— 27.9% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 53.8% (6,789 fully vaccinated)

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#14. Grant County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 88 (22 new cases, +22% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 36,487 (9,147 total cases)
— 1.9% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 275 (69 total deaths)
— 28.4% less deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 50.2% (12,582 fully vaccinated)

W.marsh // Wikimedia Commons

#13. Montgomery County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 89 (25 new cases, +14% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 37,692 (10,613 total cases)
— 5.2% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 408 (115 total deaths)
— 6.3% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 47.8% (13,453 fully vaccinated)

JERRYE & ROY KLOTZ MD // Wikimedia Commons

#12. Owsley County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 91 (4 new cases, -75% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 44,666 (1,972 total cases)
— 24.7% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 725 (32 total deaths)
— 88.8% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 48.5% (2,140 fully vaccinated)

W.marsh // Wikimedia Commons

#11. Robertson County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 95 (2 new cases, 0% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 38,235 (806 total cases)
— 6.8% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 996 (21 total deaths)
— 159.4% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 39.4% (830 fully vaccinated)

Dcoetzee // Wikimedia Commons

#10. Trigg County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 96 (14 new cases, +56% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 32,653 (4,784 total cases)
— 8.8% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 321 (47 total deaths)
— 16.4% less deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 48.1% (7,053 fully vaccinated)

Smceuen // Wikimedia Commons

#9. Carroll County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 103 (11 new cases, +450% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 38,576 (4,101 total cases)
— 7.7% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 480 (51 total deaths)
— 25.0% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 47.8% (5,078 fully vaccinated)

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#8. Cumberland County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 106 (7 new cases, +40% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 39,114 (2,587 total cases)
— 9.2% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 499 (33 total deaths)
— 29.9% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 45.9% (3,036 fully vaccinated)

Chris Light // Wikimedia Commons

#7. Nelson County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 108 (50 new cases, +61% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 38,269 (17,693 total cases)
— 6.9% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 350 (162 total deaths)
— 8.9% less deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 53.4% (24,689 fully vaccinated)

w:User:Malepheasant // Wikimedia Commons

#6. Boyd County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 122 (57 new cases, -23% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 44,779 (20,920 total cases)
— 25.0% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 417 (195 total deaths)
— 8.6% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 50.7% (23,667 fully vaccinated)

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#5. Perry County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 144 (37 new cases, -42% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 57,551 (14,824 total cases)
— 60.7% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 776 (200 total deaths)
— 102.1% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 63.2% (16,277 fully vaccinated)

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#4. Russell County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 145 (26 new cases, +62% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 42,872 (7,684 total cases)
— 19.7% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 524 (94 total deaths)
— 36.5% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 46.8% (8,393 fully vaccinated)

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#3. Knott County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 176 (26 new cases, -21% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 37,647 (5,574 total cases)
— 5.1% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 486 (72 total deaths)
— 26.6% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 48.8% (7,230 fully vaccinated)

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#2. Green County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 192 (21 new cases, +110% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 40,408 (4,421 total cases)
— 12.8% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 448 (49 total deaths)
— 16.7% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 44.3% (4,847 fully vaccinated)

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#1. Letcher County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 274 (59 new cases, -9% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 42,514 (9,163 total cases)
— 18.7% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 612 (132 total deaths)
— 59.4% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 53.9% (11,620 fully vaccinated)