Counties with highest COVID-19 infection rates in Kentucky

Written by:
November 17, 2022
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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. 16 reached over 1 million COVID-19-related deaths and 98.1 million COVID-19 cases, according to Johns Hopkins University. Currently, 68.6% of the population is fully vaccinated, and 10.1% 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 Nov. 10, 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.

#50. Kenton County, KY

- New cases per 100k in the past week: 92 (154 new cases, +62% change from previous week)
- Cumulative cases per 100k: 30,563 (51,040 total cases)
--- 15.7% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
- Cumulative deaths per 100k: 274 (457 total deaths)
--- 29.6% less deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
- Population that is fully vaccinated: 62.7% (104,718 fully vaccinated)

#49. Letcher County, KY

- New cases per 100k in the past week: 93 (20 new cases, -20% change from previous week)
- Cumulative cases per 100k: 43,595 (9,396 total cases)
--- 20.3% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
- Cumulative deaths per 100k: 617 (133 total deaths)
--- 58.6% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
- Population that is fully vaccinated: 54.1% (11,655 fully vaccinated)

#48. Lee County, KY

- New cases per 100k in the past week: 95 (7 new cases, 0% change from previous week)
- Cumulative cases per 100k: 45,346 (3,357 total cases)
--- 25.1% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
- Cumulative deaths per 100k: 783 (58 total deaths)
--- 101.3% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
- Population that is fully vaccinated: 50.8% (3,764 fully vaccinated)

#47. McCracken County, KY

- New cases per 100k in the past week: 96 (63 new cases, +47% change from previous week)
- Cumulative cases per 100k: 35,048 (22,928 total cases)
--- 3.3% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
- Cumulative deaths per 100k: 456 (298 total deaths)
--- 17.2% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
- Population that is fully vaccinated: 57.4% (37,576 fully vaccinated)

#46. Madison County, KY

- New cases per 100k in the past week: 97 (90 new cases, -4% change from previous week)
- Cumulative cases per 100k: 36,265 (33,722 total cases)
--- 0.0% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
- Cumulative deaths per 100k: 326 (303 total deaths)
--- 16.2% less deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
- Population that is fully vaccinated: 49.6% (46,155 fully vaccinated)

#45. Greenup County, KY

- New cases per 100k in the past week: 97 (34 new cases, +17% change from previous week)
- Cumulative cases per 100k: 44,230 (15,524 total cases)
--- 22.0% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
- Cumulative deaths per 100k: 444 (156 total deaths)
--- 14.1% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
- Population that is fully vaccinated: 54.1% (18,992 fully vaccinated)

#44. Webster County, KY

- New cases per 100k in the past week: 100 (13 new cases, +30% change from previous week)
- Cumulative cases per 100k: 36,107 (4,673 total cases)
--- 0.4% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
- Cumulative deaths per 100k: 394 (51 total deaths)
--- 1.3% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
- Population that is fully vaccinated: 47.3% (6,120 fully vaccinated)

#43. Logan County, KY

- New cases per 100k in the past week: 100 (27 new cases, +4% change from previous week)
- Cumulative cases per 100k: 36,278 (9,832 total cases)
--- 0.1% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
- Cumulative deaths per 100k: 494 (134 total deaths)
--- 27.0% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
- Population that is fully vaccinated: 52.4% (14,199 fully vaccinated)

#42. Jefferson County, KY

- New cases per 100k in the past week: 101 (778 new cases, -17% change from previous week)
- Cumulative cases per 100k: 35,572 (272,751 total cases)
--- 1.9% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
- Cumulative deaths per 100k: 336 (2,573 total deaths)
--- 13.6% less deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
- Population that is fully vaccinated: 66.3% (508,733 fully vaccinated)

#41. Fleming County, KY

- New cases per 100k in the past week: 103 (15 new cases, +150% change from previous week)
- Cumulative cases per 100k: 32,481 (4,736 total cases)
--- 10.4% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
- Cumulative deaths per 100k: 473 (69 total deaths)
--- 21.6% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
- Population that is fully vaccinated: 52.9% (7,709 fully vaccinated)

#40. Hardin County, KY

- New cases per 100k in the past week: 105 (116 new cases, +32% change from previous week)
- Cumulative cases per 100k: 37,295 (41,382 total cases)
--- 2.9% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
- Cumulative deaths per 100k: 432 (479 total deaths)
--- 11.1% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
- Population that is fully vaccinated: 67.4% (74,733 fully vaccinated)

#39. Pike County, KY

- New cases per 100k in the past week: 105 (61 new cases, -9% change from previous week)
- Cumulative cases per 100k: 40,730 (23,573 total cases)
--- 12.4% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
- Cumulative deaths per 100k: 613 (355 total deaths)
--- 57.6% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
- Population that is fully vaccinated: 53.8% (31,155 fully vaccinated)

#38. Knox County, KY

- New cases per 100k in the past week: 106 (33 new cases, +10% change from previous week)
- Cumulative cases per 100k: 46,152 (14,374 total cases)
--- 27.3% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
- Cumulative deaths per 100k: 517 (161 total deaths)
--- 32.9% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
- Population that is fully vaccinated: 37.5% (11,685 fully vaccinated)

#37. Campbell County, KY

- New cases per 100k in the past week: 108 (101 new cases, +140% change from previous week)
- Cumulative cases per 100k: 30,296 (28,352 total cases)
--- 16.4% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
- Cumulative deaths per 100k: 217 (203 total deaths)
--- 44.2% less deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
- Population that is fully vaccinated: 66.3% (62,073 fully vaccinated)

#36. Wayne County, KY

- New cases per 100k in the past week: 108 (22 new cases, +29% change from previous week)
- Cumulative cases per 100k: 38,627 (7,854 total cases)
--- 6.6% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
- Cumulative deaths per 100k: 516 (105 total deaths)
--- 32.6% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
- Population that is fully vaccinated: 43.5% (8,847 fully vaccinated)

#35. Hart County, KY

- New cases per 100k in the past week: 110 (21 new cases, -16% change from previous week)
- Cumulative cases per 100k: 33,806 (6,435 total cases)
--- 6.7% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
- Cumulative deaths per 100k: 573 (109 total deaths)
--- 47.3% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
- Population that is fully vaccinated: 36.6% (6,963 fully vaccinated)

#34. Casey County, KY

- New cases per 100k in the past week: 111 (18 new cases, +64% change from previous week)
- Cumulative cases per 100k: 31,450 (5,082 total cases)
--- 13.2% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
- Cumulative deaths per 100k: 495 (80 total deaths)
--- 27.2% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
- Population that is fully vaccinated: 37.3% (6,025 fully vaccinated)

#33. Henry County, KY

- New cases per 100k in the past week: 112 (18 new cases, +38% change from previous week)
- Cumulative cases per 100k: 37,263 (6,009 total cases)
--- 2.8% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
- Cumulative deaths per 100k: 335 (54 total deaths)
--- 13.9% less deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
- Population that is fully vaccinated: 55.0% (8,867 fully vaccinated)

#32. Anderson County, KY

- New cases per 100k in the past week: 114 (26 new cases, +44% change from previous week)
- Cumulative cases per 100k: 35,455 (8,065 total cases)
--- 2.2% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
- Cumulative deaths per 100k: 339 (77 total deaths)
--- 12.9% less deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
- Population that is fully vaccinated: 58.3% (13,272 fully vaccinated)

#31. Grayson County, KY

- New cases per 100k in the past week: 114 (30 new cases, +76% change from previous week)
- Cumulative cases per 100k: 36,164 (9,557 total cases)
--- 0.2% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
- Cumulative deaths per 100k: 549 (145 total deaths)
--- 41.1% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
- Population that is fully vaccinated: 53.1% (14,023 fully vaccinated)

#30. Rowan County, KY

- New cases per 100k in the past week: 114 (28 new cases, +75% change from previous week)
- Cumulative cases per 100k: 37,285 (9,120 total cases)
--- 2.9% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
- Cumulative deaths per 100k: 311 (76 total deaths)
--- 20.1% less deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
- Population that is fully vaccinated: 53.6% (13,119 fully vaccinated)

#29. Rockcastle County, KY

- New cases per 100k in the past week: 114 (19 new cases, -30% change from previous week)
- Cumulative cases per 100k: 37,688 (6,292 total cases)
--- 4.0% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
- Cumulative deaths per 100k: 389 (65 total deaths)
--- 0.0% less deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
- Population that is fully vaccinated: 41.4% (6,917 fully vaccinated)

#28. Carter County, KY

- New cases per 100k in the past week: 116 (31 new cases, -9% change from previous week)
- Cumulative cases per 100k: 42,217 (11,313 total cases)
--- 16.5% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
- Cumulative deaths per 100k: 429 (115 total deaths)
--- 10.3% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
- Population that is fully vaccinated: 50.5% (13,521 fully vaccinated)

#27. Cumberland County, KY

- New cases per 100k in the past week: 121 (8 new cases, -27% change from previous week)
- Cumulative cases per 100k: 39,779 (2,631 total cases)
--- 9.7% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
- Cumulative deaths per 100k: 499 (33 total deaths)
--- 28.3% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
- Population that is fully vaccinated: 46.0% (3,045 fully vaccinated)

#26. Hopkins County, KY

- New cases per 100k in the past week: 123 (55 new cases, +62% change from previous week)
- Cumulative cases per 100k: 41,550 (18,567 total cases)
--- 14.6% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
- Cumulative deaths per 100k: 611 (273 total deaths)
--- 57.1% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
- Population that is fully vaccinated: 53.2% (23,781 fully vaccinated)

#25. Russell County, KY

- New cases per 100k in the past week: 123 (22 new cases, -31% change from previous week)
- Cumulative cases per 100k: 43,966 (7,880 total cases)
--- 21.3% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
- Cumulative deaths per 100k: 536 (96 total deaths)
--- 37.8% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
- Population that is fully vaccinated: 47.0% (8,422 fully vaccinated)

#24. Washington County, KY

- New cases per 100k in the past week: 124 (15 new cases, +7% change from previous week)
- Cumulative cases per 100k: 39,628 (4,793 total cases)
--- 9.3% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
- Cumulative deaths per 100k: 554 (67 total deaths)
--- 42.4% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
- Population that is fully vaccinated: 52.5% (6,350 fully vaccinated)

#23. Bath County, KY

- New cases per 100k in the past week: 128 (16 new cases, +14% change from previous week)
- Cumulative cases per 100k: 33,824 (4,228 total cases)
--- 6.7% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
- Cumulative deaths per 100k: 416 (52 total deaths)
--- 6.9% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
- Population that is fully vaccinated: 55.2% (6,904 fully vaccinated)

#22. Simpson County, KY

- New cases per 100k in the past week: 129 (24 new cases, +33% change from previous week)
- Cumulative cases per 100k: 37,045 (6,880 total cases)
--- 2.2% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
- Cumulative deaths per 100k: 544 (101 total deaths)
--- 39.8% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
- Population that is fully vaccinated: 52.2% (9,688 fully vaccinated)

#21. Mercer County, KY

- New cases per 100k in the past week: 132 (29 new cases, +32% change from previous week)
- Cumulative cases per 100k: 40,482 (8,879 total cases)
--- 11.7% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
- Cumulative deaths per 100k: 524 (115 total deaths)
--- 34.7% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
- Population that is fully vaccinated: 55.9% (12,268 fully vaccinated)

#20. Marshall County, KY

- New cases per 100k in the past week: 135 (42 new cases, +75% change from previous week)
- Cumulative cases per 100k: 31,032 (9,651 total cases)
--- 14.4% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
- Cumulative deaths per 100k: 399 (124 total deaths)
--- 2.6% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
- Population that is fully vaccinated: 54.8% (17,044 fully vaccinated)

#19. Marion County, KY

- New cases per 100k in the past week: 135 (26 new cases, +73% change from previous week)
- Cumulative cases per 100k: 40,103 (7,729 total cases)
--- 10.6% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
- Cumulative deaths per 100k: 467 (90 total deaths)
--- 20.1% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
- Population that is fully vaccinated: 51.5% (9,929 fully vaccinated)

#18. Grant County, KY

- New cases per 100k in the past week: 136 (34 new cases, +36% change from previous week)
- Cumulative cases per 100k: 37,106 (9,302 total cases)
--- 2.4% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
- Cumulative deaths per 100k: 279 (70 total deaths)
--- 28.3% less deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
- Population that is fully vaccinated: 50.3% (12,615 fully vaccinated)

#17. Owsley County, KY

- New cases per 100k in the past week: 136 (6 new cases, +200% change from previous week)
- Cumulative cases per 100k: 45,504 (2,009 total cases)
--- 25.5% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
- Cumulative deaths per 100k: 725 (32 total deaths)
--- 86.4% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
- Population that is fully vaccinated: 48.6% (2,145 fully vaccinated)

#16. Hickman County, KY

- New cases per 100k in the past week: 137 (6 new cases, +100% change from previous week)
- Cumulative cases per 100k: 23,699 (1,038 total cases)
--- 34.6% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
- Cumulative deaths per 100k: 685 (30 total deaths)
--- 76.1% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
- Population that is fully vaccinated: 38.4% (1,681 fully vaccinated)

#15. Calloway County, KY

- New cases per 100k in the past week: 138 (54 new cases, +29% change from previous week)
- Cumulative cases per 100k: 28,053 (10,941 total cases)
--- 22.6% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
- Cumulative deaths per 100k: 259 (101 total deaths)
--- 33.4% less deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
- Population that is fully vaccinated: 47.5% (18,528 fully vaccinated)

#14. Nicholas County, KY

- New cases per 100k in the past week: 138 (10 new cases, +43% change from previous week)
- Cumulative cases per 100k: 35,424 (2,575 total cases)
--- 2.3% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
- Cumulative deaths per 100k: 468 (34 total deaths)
--- 20.3% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
- Population that is fully vaccinated: 54.0% (3,925 fully vaccinated)

#13. Nelson County, KY

- New cases per 100k in the past week: 138 (64 new cases, +12% change from previous week)
- Cumulative cases per 100k: 39,050 (18,054 total cases)
--- 7.7% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
- Cumulative deaths per 100k: 357 (165 total deaths)
--- 8.2% less deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
- Population that is fully vaccinated: 53.7% (24,822 fully vaccinated)

#12. McLean County, KY

- New cases per 100k in the past week: 141 (13 new cases, +160% change from previous week)
- Cumulative cases per 100k: 34,235 (3,152 total cases)
--- 5.6% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
- Cumulative deaths per 100k: 641 (59 total deaths)
--- 64.8% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
- Population that is fully vaccinated: 52.6% (4,841 fully vaccinated)

#11. Green County, KY

- New cases per 100k in the past week: 146 (16 new cases, +129% change from previous week)
- Cumulative cases per 100k: 41,386 (4,528 total cases)
--- 14.2% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
- Cumulative deaths per 100k: 448 (49 total deaths)
--- 15.2% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
- Population that is fully vaccinated: 44.5% (4,869 fully vaccinated)

#10. Carlisle County, KY

- New cases per 100k in the past week: 147 (7 new cases, +133% change from previous week)
- Cumulative cases per 100k: 26,828 (1,277 total cases)
--- 26.0% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
- Cumulative deaths per 100k: 462 (22 total deaths)
--- 18.8% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
- Population that is fully vaccinated: 41.8% (1,992 fully vaccinated)

#9. Floyd County, KY

- New cases per 100k in the past week: 149 (53 new cases, +61% change from previous week)
- Cumulative cases per 100k: 44,595 (15,871 total cases)
--- 23.0% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
- Cumulative deaths per 100k: 669 (238 total deaths)
--- 72.0% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
- Population that is fully vaccinated: 58.3% (20,744 fully vaccinated)

#8. Larue County, KY

- New cases per 100k in the past week: 153 (22 new cases, +144% change from previous week)
- Cumulative cases per 100k: 31,699 (4,564 total cases)
--- 12.6% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
- Cumulative deaths per 100k: 535 (77 total deaths)
--- 37.5% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
- Population that is fully vaccinated: 44.7% (6,433 fully vaccinated)

#7. Metcalfe County, KY

- New cases per 100k in the past week: 159 (16 new cases, -11% change from previous week)
- Cumulative cases per 100k: 34,108 (3,435 total cases)
--- 5.9% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
- Cumulative deaths per 100k: 745 (75 total deaths)
--- 91.5% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
- Population that is fully vaccinated: 41.5% (4,176 fully vaccinated)

#6. Johnson County, KY

- New cases per 100k in the past week: 162 (36 new cases, +71% change from previous week)
- Cumulative cases per 100k: 37,971 (8,425 total cases)
--- 4.7% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
- Cumulative deaths per 100k: 595 (132 total deaths)
--- 53.0% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
- Population that is fully vaccinated: 51.3% (11,377 fully vaccinated)

#5. Elliott County, KY

- New cases per 100k in the past week: 186 (14 new cases, +133% change from previous week)
- Cumulative cases per 100k: 43,621 (3,279 total cases)
--- 20.3% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
- Cumulative deaths per 100k: 293 (22 total deaths)
--- 24.7% less deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
- Population that is fully vaccinated: 36.5% (2,747 fully vaccinated)

#4. Trigg County, KY

- New cases per 100k in the past week: 191 (28 new cases, +12% change from previous week)
- Cumulative cases per 100k: 33,383 (4,891 total cases)
--- 7.9% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
- Cumulative deaths per 100k: 321 (47 total deaths)
--- 17.5% less deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
- Population that is fully vaccinated: 48.4% (7,087 fully vaccinated)

#3. Knott County, KY

- New cases per 100k in the past week: 203 (30 new cases, +173% change from previous week)
- Cumulative cases per 100k: 38,788 (5,743 total cases)
--- 7.0% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
- Cumulative deaths per 100k: 493 (73 total deaths)
--- 26.7% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
- Population that is fully vaccinated: 48.9% (7,243 fully vaccinated)

#2. Muhlenberg County, KY

- New cases per 100k in the past week: 216 (66 new cases, -18% change from previous week)
- Cumulative cases per 100k: 41,101 (12,586 total cases)
--- 13.4% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
- Cumulative deaths per 100k: 434 (133 total deaths)
--- 11.6% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
- Population that is fully vaccinated: 52.6% (16,109 fully vaccinated)

#1. Trimble County, KY

- New cases per 100k in the past week: 224 (19 new cases, +90% change from previous week)
- Cumulative cases per 100k: 30,599 (2,592 total cases)
--- 15.6% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
- Cumulative deaths per 100k: 543 (46 total deaths)
--- 39.6% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
- Population that is fully vaccinated: 45.3% (3,835 fully vaccinated)

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