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 Nov. 2 reached over 1 million COVID-19-related deaths and 97.5 million COVID-19 cases, according to Johns Hopkins University. Currently, 68.3% of the population is fully vaccinated, and 7.3% of vaccinated people have received the most recently available bivalent 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. 27, 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.

Huw Williams (Huwmanbeing) // Wikimedia Commons

#50. Edmonson County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 214 (26 new cases, +136% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 25,037 (3,042 total cases)
— 30.5% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 428 (52 total deaths)
— 10.9% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 35.2% (4,275 fully vaccinated)

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#49. Breathitt County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 214 (27 new cases, +200% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 39,850 (5,033 total cases)
— 10.6% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 515 (65 total deaths)
— 33.4% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 53.8% (6,800 fully vaccinated)

Bedford // Wikimedia Commons

#48. Logan County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 218 (59 new cases, +269% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 36,049 (9,770 total cases)
— 0.0% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 487 (132 total deaths)
— 26.2% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 52.3% (14,166 fully vaccinated)

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#47. Mercer County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 223 (49 new cases, +227% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 40,204 (8,818 total cases)
— 11.6% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 524 (115 total deaths)
— 35.8% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 55.8% (12,244 fully vaccinated)

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#46. Trimble County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 224 (19 new cases, +850% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 30,244 (2,562 total cases)
— 16.1% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 543 (46 total deaths)
— 40.7% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 45.2% (3,825 fully vaccinated)

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#45. Clay County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 226 (45 new cases, +462% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 46,802 (9,314 total cases)
— 29.9% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 518 (103 total deaths)
— 34.2% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 45.9% (9,132 fully vaccinated)

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#44. Cumberland County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 227 (15 new cases, +400% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 39,401 (2,606 total cases)
— 9.4% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 499 (33 total deaths)
— 29.3% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 45.9% (3,039 fully vaccinated)

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#43. Anderson County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 229 (52 new cases, +333% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 35,169 (8,000 total cases)
— 2.4% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 339 (77 total deaths)
— 12.2% less deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 58.2% (13,246 fully vaccinated)

W.marsh // Wikimedia Commons

#42. Scott County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 232 (132 new cases, +300% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 38,043 (21,686 total cases)
— 5.6% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 211 (120 total deaths)
— 45.3% less deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 57.2% (32,631 fully vaccinated)

W.marsh // Wikimedia Commons

#41. Laurel County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 234 (142 new cases, +216% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 41,614 (25,307 total cases)
— 15.5% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 446 (271 total deaths)
— 15.5% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 41.3% (25,101 fully vaccinated)

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#40. Grant County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 243 (61 new cases, +239% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 36,798 (9,225 total cases)
— 2.1% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 275 (69 total deaths)
— 28.8% less deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 50.3% (12,602 fully vaccinated)

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#39. Crittenden County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 250 (22 new cases, +633% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 30,366 (2,674 total cases)
— 15.7% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 613 (54 total deaths)
— 58.8% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 41.8% (3,684 fully vaccinated)

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#38. Spencer County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 253 (49 new cases, +444% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 33,662 (6,514 total cases)
— 6.6% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 336 (65 total deaths)
— 13.0% less deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 31.0% (5,993 fully vaccinated)

W.marsh // Wikimedia Commons

#37. Rowan County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 253 (62 new cases, +195% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 37,020 (9,055 total cases)
— 2.7% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 311 (76 total deaths)
— 19.4% less deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 53.5% (13,097 fully vaccinated)

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#36. Clinton County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 254 (26 new cases, +1,200% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 43,590 (4,454 total cases)
— 21.0% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 558 (57 total deaths)
— 44.6% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 42.3% (4,325 fully vaccinated)

Bedford // Wikimedia Commons

#35. Webster County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 255 (33 new cases, +3,200% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 35,891 (4,645 total cases)
— 0.4% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 394 (51 total deaths)
— 2.1% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 47.2% (6,107 fully vaccinated)

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#34. Estill County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 262 (37 new cases, +270% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 34,928 (4,927 total cases)
— 3.1% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 390 (55 total deaths)
— 1.0% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 53.5% (7,550 fully vaccinated)

W.marsh // Wikimedia Commons

#33. Harlan County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 273 (71 new cases, +294% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 46,136 (12,000 total cases)
— 28.0% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 861 (224 total deaths)
— 123.1% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 47.4% (12,337 fully vaccinated)

Bfreas // Wikimedia Commons

#32. Simpson County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 280 (52 new cases, +174% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 36,706 (6,817 total cases)
— 1.9% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 544 (101 total deaths)
— 40.9% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 52.0% (9,663 fully vaccinated)

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#31. McLean County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 282 (26 new cases, +189% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 34,018 (3,132 total cases)
— 5.6% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 630 (58 total deaths)
— 63.2% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 52.5% (4,834 fully vaccinated)

Kybluegrass // Wikimedia Commons

#30. McCreary County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 284 (49 new cases, +250% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 42,424 (7,310 total cases)
— 17.7% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 505 (87 total deaths)
— 30.8% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 40.0% (6,901 fully vaccinated)

Brian Stansberry // Wikimedia Commons

#29. Harrison County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 291 (55 new cases, +323% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 42,841 (8,091 total cases)
— 18.9% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 461 (87 total deaths)
— 19.4% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 51.3% (9,682 fully vaccinated)

W.marsh // Wikimedia Commons

#28. Adair County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 292 (56 new cases, +229% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 37,944 (7,286 total cases)
— 5.3% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 583 (112 total deaths)
— 51.0% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 40.2% (7,723 fully vaccinated)

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#27. Menifee County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 293 (19 new cases, +217% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 34,366 (2,230 total cases)
— 4.6% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 539 (35 total deaths)
— 39.6% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 45.5% (2,954 fully vaccinated)

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#26. Barren County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 294 (130 new cases, +282% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 35,605 (15,755 total cases)
— 1.2% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 524 (232 total deaths)
— 35.8% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 47.4% (20,972 fully vaccinated)

HiB2Bornot2B // Wikimedia Commons

#25. Johnson County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 297 (66 new cases, +312% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 37,439 (8,307 total cases)
— 3.9% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 595 (132 total deaths)
— 54.1% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 51.2% (11,358 fully vaccinated)

Greg5030 // Wikimedia Commons

#24. Mason County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 310 (53 new cases, +562% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 35,144 (5,999 total cases)
— 2.5% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 674 (115 total deaths)
— 74.6% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 52.2% (8,903 fully vaccinated)

Chris Light // Wikimedia Commons

#23. Nelson County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 311 (144 new cases, +148% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 38,704 (17,894 total cases)
— 7.4% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 357 (165 total deaths)
— 7.5% less deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 53.6% (24,759 fully vaccinated)

w:User:Malepheasant // Wikimedia Commons

#22. Boyd County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 321 (150 new cases, +257% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 45,195 (21,114 total cases)
— 25.4% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 424 (198 total deaths)
— 9.8% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 50.8% (23,728 fully vaccinated)

Huw Williams (Huwmanbeing) // Wikimedia Commons

#21. Grayson County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 322 (85 new cases, +286% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 35,941 (9,498 total cases)
— 0.2% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 549 (145 total deaths)
— 42.2% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 52.9% (13,977 fully vaccinated)

Turover // Wikimedia Commons

#20. Greenup County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 328 (115 new cases, +342% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 43,994 (15,441 total cases)
— 22.1% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 444 (156 total deaths)
— 15.0% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 53.9% (18,933 fully vaccinated)

Megangen1990 // Wikimedia Commons

#19. Muhlenberg County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 330 (101 new cases, +531% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 40,585 (12,428 total cases)
— 12.6% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 425 (130 total deaths)
— 10.1% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 52.5% (16,075 fully vaccinated)

Brian Stansberry // Wikimedia Commons

#18. Washington County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 331 (40 new cases, +300% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 39,305 (4,754 total cases)
— 9.1% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 546 (66 total deaths)
— 41.5% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 52.3% (6,326 fully vaccinated)

W.marsh // Wikimedia Commons

#17. Robertson County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 332 (7 new cases, +600% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 38,615 (814 total cases)
— 7.2% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 1,044 (22 total deaths)
— 170.5% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 39.4% (830 fully vaccinated)

CoryClaxon // Wikimedia Commons

#16. Carter County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 332 (89 new cases, +271% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 41,878 (11,222 total cases)
— 16.2% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 425 (114 total deaths)
— 10.1% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 50.3% (13,491 fully vaccinated)

Joel Bradshaw // Wikimedia Commons

#15. Ohio County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 333 (80 new cases, +1,233% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 36,059 (8,652 total cases)
— 0.1% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 471 (113 total deaths)
— 22.0% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 40.8% (9,793 fully vaccinated)

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#14. Wolfe County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 335 (24 new cases, +500% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 47,338 (3,388 total cases)
— 31.4% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 419 (30 total deaths)
— 8.5% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 54.8% (3,924 fully vaccinated)

Wdzinc // Wikimedia Commons

#13. Marion County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 358 (69 new cases, +590% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 39,854 (7,681 total cases)
— 10.6% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 462 (89 total deaths)
— 19.7% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 51.4% (9,911 fully vaccinated)

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#12. Pike County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 377 (218 new cases, +304% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 40,412 (23,389 total cases)
— 12.2% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 606 (351 total deaths)
— 57.0% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 53.8% (31,113 fully vaccinated)

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#11. Taylor County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 404 (104 new cases, +478% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 43,393 (11,182 total cases)
— 20.4% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 524 (135 total deaths)
— 35.8% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 49.1% (12,657 fully vaccinated)

JERRYE & ROY KLOTZ MD // Wikimedia Commons

#10. Wayne County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 413 (84 new cases, +1,580% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 38,371 (7,802 total cases)
— 6.5% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 516 (105 total deaths)
— 33.7% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 43.4% (8,827 fully vaccinated)

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#9. Floyd County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 416 (148 new cases, +196% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 44,264 (15,753 total cases)
— 22.8% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 669 (238 total deaths)
— 73.3% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 58.2% (20,721 fully vaccinated)

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#8. Russell County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 418 (75 new cases, +83% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 43,514 (7,799 total cases)
— 20.8% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 530 (95 total deaths)
— 37.3% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 46.9% (8,408 fully vaccinated)

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#7. Green County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 439 (48 new cases, +167% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 41,020 (4,488 total cases)
— 13.8% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 448 (49 total deaths)
— 16.1% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 44.4% (4,860 fully vaccinated)

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#6. Powell County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 534 (66 new cases, +214% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 48,677 (6,016 total cases)
— 35.1% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 396 (49 total deaths)
— 2.6% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 53.9% (6,667 fully vaccinated)

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#5. Leslie County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 577 (57 new cases, +307% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 49,003 (4,840 total cases)
— 36.0% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 567 (56 total deaths)
— 46.9% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 53.3% (5,262 fully vaccinated)

JERRYE & ROY KLOTZ MD // Wikimedia Commons

#4. Owsley County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 589 (26 new cases, +1,200% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 45,277 (1,999 total cases)
— 25.7% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 725 (32 total deaths)
— 87.8% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 48.5% (2,143 fully vaccinated)

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#3. Letcher County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 608 (131 new cases, +254% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 43,298 (9,332 total cases)
— 20.2% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 617 (133 total deaths)
— 59.8% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 54.0% (11,640 fully vaccinated)

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#2. Perry County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 617 (159 new cases, +468% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 58,281 (15,012 total cases)
— 61.8% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 780 (201 total deaths)
— 102.1% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 63.3% (16,298 fully vaccinated)

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#1. Knott County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 642 (95 new cases, +428% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 38,403 (5,686 total cases)
— 6.6% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 493 (73 total deaths)
— 27.7% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 48.9% (7,235 fully vaccinated)