Counties with the highest COVID-19 death rate in North Carolina

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Counties with the highest COVID-19 death rate in North Carolina

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. Early research suggests this strain may cause less severe illness than Delta and the original virus, however, health officials have warned an Omicron-driven surge could still increase hospitalization and death ratesâ€”especially in areas with less vaccinated populations.

The United States as of Feb. 16 reached 926,680 COVID-19-related deaths and nearly 78.1 million COVID-19 cases, according to Johns Hopkins University. Currently, 64.5% of the population is fully vaccinated, and 43% have received booster doses.

Stacker compiled a list of the counties with highest cumulative COVID-19 death rates in North Carolina using data from the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services. Counties are ranked by the highest death rate per 100,000 residents as of Feb. 15, 2021.

Keep reading to see whether your county ranks among the highest COVID-19 death rates in your state.

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Indy beetle // Wikimedia Commons

#50. Greene County

- Cumulative deaths per 100k: 261 (55 total deaths)
--- 25.5% more deaths per 100k residents than North Carolina
--- #2,162 highest rate among all counties nationwide
- New deaths per 100k in the past week: 0.0 (0 new deaths, 0% change from previous week)
- Cumulative cases per 100k: 26,807 (5,648 total cases)
--- 10.7% more cases per 100k residents than North Carolina
- New cases per 100k in the past week: 465 (98 new cases, -40% change from previous week)

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#49. Hyde County

- Cumulative deaths per 100k: 263 (13 total deaths)
--- 26.4% more deaths per 100k residents than North Carolina
--- #2,148 highest rate among all counties nationwide
- New deaths per 100k in the past week: 0.0 (0 new deaths, 0% change from previous week)
- Cumulative cases per 100k: 25,805 (1,274 total cases)
--- 6.5% more cases per 100k residents than North Carolina
- New cases per 100k in the past week: 425 (21 new cases, -60% change from previous week)

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Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#48. Person County

- Cumulative deaths per 100k: 263 (104 total deaths)
--- 26.4% more deaths per 100k residents than North Carolina
--- #2,147 highest rate among all counties nationwide
- New deaths per 100k in the past week: 12.7 (5 new deaths, +400% change from previous week)
- Cumulative cases per 100k: 22,710 (8,968 total cases)
--- 6.2% less cases per 100k residents than North Carolina
- New cases per 100k in the past week: 403 (159 new cases, -52% change from previous week)

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State Archives of North Carolina // Wikimedia Commons

#47. Edgecombe County

- Cumulative deaths per 100k: 266 (137 total deaths)
--- 27.9% more deaths per 100k residents than North Carolina
--- #2,121 highest rate among all counties nationwide
- New deaths per 100k in the past week: 1.9 (1 new deaths, -67% change from previous week)
- Cumulative cases per 100k: 25,594 (13,174 total cases)
--- 5.7% more cases per 100k residents than North Carolina
- New cases per 100k in the past week: 270 (139 new cases, -38% change from previous week)

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Wasrts // Wikimedia Commons

#46. Yadkin County

- Cumulative deaths per 100k: 268 (101 total deaths)
--- 28.8% more deaths per 100k residents than North Carolina
--- #2,107 highest rate among all counties nationwide
- New deaths per 100k in the past week: 0.0 (0 new deaths, -100% change from previous week)
- Cumulative cases per 100k: 27,690 (10,430 total cases)
--- 14.3% more cases per 100k residents than North Carolina
- New cases per 100k in the past week: 419 (158 new cases, -48% change from previous week)

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Donald Lee Pardue // Wikimedia Commons

#45. Randolph County

- Cumulative deaths per 100k: 268 (385 total deaths)
--- 28.8% more deaths per 100k residents than North Carolina
--- #2,105 highest rate among all counties nationwide
- New deaths per 100k in the past week: 4.9 (7 new deaths, -30% change from previous week)
- Cumulative cases per 100k: 24,083 (34,600 total cases)
--- 0.6% less cases per 100k residents than North Carolina
- New cases per 100k in the past week: 355 (510 new cases, -49% change from previous week)

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JNix // Shutterstock

#44. Macon County

- Cumulative deaths per 100k: 273 (98 total deaths)
--- 31.3% more deaths per 100k residents than North Carolina
--- #2,060 highest rate among all counties nationwide
- New deaths per 100k in the past week: 0.0 (0 new deaths, -100% change from previous week)
- Cumulative cases per 100k: 19,717 (7,070 total cases)
--- 18.6% less cases per 100k residents than North Carolina
- New cases per 100k in the past week: 329 (118 new cases, -20% change from previous week)

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Indy beetle // Wikimedia Commons

#43. Rockingham County

- Cumulative deaths per 100k: 275 (250 total deaths)
--- 32.2% more deaths per 100k residents than North Carolina
--- #2,045 highest rate among all counties nationwide
- New deaths per 100k in the past week: 2.2 (2 new deaths, -33% change from previous week)
- Cumulative cases per 100k: 23,391 (21,288 total cases)
--- 3.4% less cases per 100k residents than North Carolina
- New cases per 100k in the past week: 387 (352 new cases, -47% change from previous week)

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Shapard Wolf // Wikimedia Commons

#42. Yancey County

- Cumulative deaths per 100k: 277 (50 total deaths)
--- 33.2% more deaths per 100k residents than North Carolina
--- #2,026 highest rate among all counties nationwide
- New deaths per 100k in the past week: 5.5 (1 new deaths, -75% change from previous week)
- Cumulative cases per 100k: 25,807 (4,663 total cases)
--- 6.5% more cases per 100k residents than North Carolina
- New cases per 100k in the past week: 952 (172 new cases, +89% change from previous week)

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#41. Pasquotank County

- Cumulative deaths per 100k: 279 (111 total deaths)
--- 34.1% more deaths per 100k residents than North Carolina
--- #2,002 highest rate among all counties nationwide
- New deaths per 100k in the past week: 0.0 (0 new deaths, 0% change from previous week)
- Cumulative cases per 100k: 19,815 (7,891 total cases)
--- 18.2% less cases per 100k residents than North Carolina
- New cases per 100k in the past week: 399 (159 new cases, -40% change from previous week)

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#40. Haywood County

- Cumulative deaths per 100k: 279 (174 total deaths)
--- 34.1% more deaths per 100k residents than North Carolina
--- #2,001 highest rate among all counties nationwide
- New deaths per 100k in the past week: 1.6 (1 new deaths, 0% change from previous week)
- Cumulative cases per 100k: 19,890 (12,395 total cases)
--- 17.9% less cases per 100k residents than North Carolina
- New cases per 100k in the past week: 515 (321 new cases, -34% change from previous week)

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BrendaByrneGreene // Wikimedia Commons

#39. Nash County

- Cumulative deaths per 100k: 298 (281 total deaths)
--- 43.3% more deaths per 100k residents than North Carolina
--- #1,861 highest rate among all counties nationwide
- New deaths per 100k in the past week: 1.1 (1 new deaths, -92% change from previous week)
- Cumulative cases per 100k: 28,245 (26,634 total cases)
--- 16.6% more cases per 100k residents than North Carolina
- New cases per 100k in the past week: 359 (339 new cases, -48% change from previous week)

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#38. Moore County

- Cumulative deaths per 100k: 299 (302 total deaths)
--- 43.8% more deaths per 100k residents than North Carolina
--- #1,852 highest rate among all counties nationwide
- New deaths per 100k in the past week: 13.9 (14 new deaths, +180% change from previous week)
- Cumulative cases per 100k: 23,314 (23,519 total cases)
--- 3.7% less cases per 100k residents than North Carolina
- New cases per 100k in the past week: 348 (351 new cases, -41% change from previous week)

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Indy beetle // Wikimedia Commons

#37. Wayne County

- Cumulative deaths per 100k: 300 (370 total deaths)
--- 44.2% more deaths per 100k residents than North Carolina
--- #1,844 highest rate among all counties nationwide
- New deaths per 100k in the past week: 7.3 (9 new deaths, +29% change from previous week)
- Cumulative cases per 100k: 22,054 (27,155 total cases)
--- 9.0% less cases per 100k residents than North Carolina
- New cases per 100k in the past week: 346 (426 new cases, -41% change from previous week)

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Ron Reiring // Wikimedia Commons

#36. Burke County

- Cumulative deaths per 100k: 316 (286 total deaths)
--- 51.9% more deaths per 100k residents than North Carolina
--- #1,686 highest rate among all counties nationwide
- New deaths per 100k in the past week: 13.3 (12 new deaths, +71% change from previous week)
- Cumulative cases per 100k: 26,438 (23,922 total cases)
--- 9.1% more cases per 100k residents than North Carolina
- New cases per 100k in the past week: 765 (692 new cases, -32% change from previous week)

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David Byron Keener // Shutterstock

#35. Beaufort County

- Cumulative deaths per 100k: 317 (149 total deaths)
--- 52.4% more deaths per 100k residents than North Carolina
--- #1,670 highest rate among all counties nationwide
- New deaths per 100k in the past week: 12.8 (6 new deaths, 0% change from previous week)
- Cumulative cases per 100k: 25,039 (11,767 total cases)
--- 3.4% more cases per 100k residents than North Carolina
- New cases per 100k in the past week: 487 (229 new cases, -29% change from previous week)

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James R Poston // Shutterstock

#34. Cherokee County

- Cumulative deaths per 100k: 318 (91 total deaths)
--- 52.9% more deaths per 100k residents than North Carolina
--- #1,657 highest rate among all counties nationwide
- New deaths per 100k in the past week: 0.0 (0 new deaths, 0% change from previous week)
- Cumulative cases per 100k: 24,077 (6,889 total cases)
--- 0.6% less cases per 100k residents than North Carolina
- New cases per 100k in the past week: 542 (155 new cases, -22% change from previous week)

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Nolichuckyjake // Shutterstock

#33. Caldwell County

- Cumulative deaths per 100k: 325 (267 total deaths)
--- 56.3% more deaths per 100k residents than North Carolina
--- #1,603 highest rate among all counties nationwide
- New deaths per 100k in the past week: 11.0 (9 new deaths, -36% change from previous week)
- Cumulative cases per 100k: 26,030 (21,391 total cases)
--- 7.5% more cases per 100k residents than North Carolina
- New cases per 100k in the past week: 544 (447 new cases, -39% change from previous week)

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Upstateherd // Wikimedia Commons

#32. Gaston County

- Cumulative deaths per 100k: 326 (732 total deaths)
--- 56.7% more deaths per 100k residents than North Carolina
--- #1,590 highest rate among all counties nationwide
- New deaths per 100k in the past week: 8.0 (18 new deaths, +80% change from previous week)
- Cumulative cases per 100k: 28,318 (63,583 total cases)
--- 16.9% more cases per 100k residents than North Carolina
- New cases per 100k in the past week: 490 (1,101 new cases, -35% change from previous week)

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Nolichuckyjake // Shutterstock

#31. Catawba County

- Cumulative deaths per 100k: 328 (523 total deaths)
--- 57.7% more deaths per 100k residents than North Carolina
--- #1,569 highest rate among all counties nationwide
- New deaths per 100k in the past week: 6.3 (10 new deaths, -29% change from previous week)
- Cumulative cases per 100k: 29,095 (46,422 total cases)
--- 20.1% more cases per 100k residents than North Carolina
- New cases per 100k in the past week: 549 (876 new cases, -42% change from previous week)

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RnR // Wikimedia Commons

#30. McDowell County

- Cumulative deaths per 100k: 330 (151 total deaths)
--- 58.7% more deaths per 100k residents than North Carolina
--- #1,558 highest rate among all counties nationwide
- New deaths per 100k in the past week: 19.7 (9 new deaths, 0% change from previous week)
- Cumulative cases per 100k: 28,333 (12,964 total cases)
--- 17.0% more cases per 100k residents than North Carolina
- New cases per 100k in the past week: 813 (372 new cases, -27% change from previous week)

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Theresaperry44 // Wikimedia Commons

#29. Bertie County

- Cumulative deaths per 100k: 333 (63 total deaths)
--- 60.1% more deaths per 100k residents than North Carolina
--- #1,537 highest rate among all counties nationwide
- New deaths per 100k in the past week: 0.0 (0 new deaths, -100% change from previous week)
- Cumulative cases per 100k: 21,972 (4,163 total cases)
--- 9.3% less cases per 100k residents than North Carolina
- New cases per 100k in the past week: 333 (63 new cases, -34% change from previous week)

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Jacalyn Engler // Wikimedia Commons

#28. Stokes County

- Cumulative deaths per 100k: 333 (152 total deaths)
--- 60.1% more deaths per 100k residents than North Carolina
--- #1,533 highest rate among all counties nationwide
- New deaths per 100k in the past week: 8.8 (4 new deaths, -33% change from previous week)
- Cumulative cases per 100k: 23,625 (10,771 total cases)
--- 2.5% less cases per 100k residents than North Carolina
- New cases per 100k in the past week: 474 (216 new cases, -22% change from previous week)

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George Dukin // Shutterstock

#27. Clay County

- Cumulative deaths per 100k: 338 (38 total deaths)
--- 62.5% more deaths per 100k residents than North Carolina
--- #1,498 highest rate among all counties nationwide
- New deaths per 100k in the past week: 0.0 (0 new deaths, 0% change from previous week)
- Cumulative cases per 100k: 22,901 (2,572 total cases)
--- 5.5% less cases per 100k residents than North Carolina
- New cases per 100k in the past week: 757 (85 new cases, -38% change from previous week)

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Boston Public Library // Wikimedia Commons

#26. Hertford County

- Cumulative deaths per 100k: 338 (80 total deaths)
--- 62.5% more deaths per 100k residents than North Carolina
--- #1,493 highest rate among all counties nationwide
- New deaths per 100k in the past week: 0.0 (0 new deaths, 0% change from previous week)
- Cumulative cases per 100k: 19,491 (4,615 total cases)
--- 19.5% less cases per 100k residents than North Carolina
- New cases per 100k in the past week: 118 (28 new cases, -50% change from previous week)

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Ken Thomas // Wikimedia Commons

#25. Alexander County

- Cumulative deaths per 100k: 339 (127 total deaths)
--- 63.0% more deaths per 100k residents than North Carolina
--- #1,480 highest rate among all counties nationwide
- New deaths per 100k in the past week: 5.3 (2 new deaths, -50% change from previous week)
- Cumulative cases per 100k: 27,320 (10,244 total cases)
--- 12.8% more cases per 100k residents than North Carolina
- New cases per 100k in the past week: 613 (230 new cases, +24% change from previous week)

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Ammodramus // Wikimedia Commons

#24. Wilson County

- Cumulative deaths per 100k: 341 (279 total deaths)
--- 63.9% more deaths per 100k residents than North Carolina
--- #1,461 highest rate among all counties nationwide
- New deaths per 100k in the past week: 23.2 (19 new deaths, +19% change from previous week)
- Cumulative cases per 100k: 25,409 (20,785 total cases)
--- 4.9% more cases per 100k residents than North Carolina
- New cases per 100k in the past week: 427 (349 new cases, -42% change from previous week)

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Cecouchman // Wikimedia Commons

#23. Halifax County

- Cumulative deaths per 100k: 344 (172 total deaths)
--- 65.4% more deaths per 100k residents than North Carolina
--- #1,432 highest rate among all counties nationwide
- New deaths per 100k in the past week: 12.0 (6 new deaths, -14% change from previous week)
- Cumulative cases per 100k: 27,307 (13,656 total cases)
--- 12.7% more cases per 100k residents than North Carolina
- New cases per 100k in the past week: 352 (176 new cases, -45% change from previous week)

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ncwetlands.org// Wikimedia Commons

#22. Bladen County

- Cumulative deaths per 100k: 351 (115 total deaths)
--- 68.8% more deaths per 100k residents than North Carolina
--- #1,377 highest rate among all counties nationwide
- New deaths per 100k in the past week: 15.3 (5 new deaths, +67% change from previous week)
- Cumulative cases per 100k: 27,825 (9,105 total cases)
--- 14.9% more cases per 100k residents than North Carolina
- New cases per 100k in the past week: 336 (110 new cases, -60% change from previous week)

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Indy beetle // Wikimedia Commons

#21. Lenoir County

- Cumulative deaths per 100k: 352 (197 total deaths)
--- 69.2% more deaths per 100k residents than North Carolina
--- #1,367 highest rate among all counties nationwide
- New deaths per 100k in the past week: 8.9 (5 new deaths, -38% change from previous week)
- Cumulative cases per 100k: 27,332 (15,292 total cases)
--- 12.8% more cases per 100k residents than North Carolina
- New cases per 100k in the past week: 474 (265 new cases, -41% change from previous week)

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digidreamgrafix // Shutterstock

#20. Graham County

- Cumulative deaths per 100k: 355 (30 total deaths)
--- 70.7% more deaths per 100k residents than North Carolina
--- #1,344 highest rate among all counties nationwide
- New deaths per 100k in the past week: 0.0 (0 new deaths, 0% change from previous week)
- Cumulative cases per 100k: 26,051 (2,199 total cases)
--- 7.6% more cases per 100k residents than North Carolina
- New cases per 100k in the past week: 652 (55 new cases, -40% change from previous week)

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Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#19. Scotland County

- Cumulative deaths per 100k: 356 (124 total deaths)
--- 71.2% more deaths per 100k residents than North Carolina
--- #1,332 highest rate among all counties nationwide
- New deaths per 100k in the past week: 2.9 (1 new deaths, -83% change from previous week)
- Cumulative cases per 100k: 28,022 (9,758 total cases)
--- 15.7% more cases per 100k residents than North Carolina
- New cases per 100k in the past week: 336 (117 new cases, -48% change from previous week)

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Upstateherd // Wikimedia Commons

#18. Wilkes County

- Cumulative deaths per 100k: 358 (245 total deaths)
--- 72.1% more deaths per 100k residents than North Carolina
--- #1,317 highest rate among all counties nationwide
- New deaths per 100k in the past week: 13.2 (9 new deaths, +50% change from previous week)
- Cumulative cases per 100k: 25,020 (17,117 total cases)
--- 3.3% more cases per 100k residents than North Carolina
- New cases per 100k in the past week: 667 (456 new cases, -30% change from previous week)

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Bethbrownebooks // Wikimedia Commons

#17. Chowan County

- Cumulative deaths per 100k: 359 (50 total deaths)
--- 72.6% more deaths per 100k residents than North Carolina
--- #1,313 highest rate among all counties nationwide
- New deaths per 100k in the past week: 7.2 (1 new deaths, 0% change from previous week)
- Cumulative cases per 100k: 29,248 (4,078 total cases)
--- 20.7% more cases per 100k residents than North Carolina
- New cases per 100k in the past week: 244 (34 new cases, -64% change from previous week)

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Toribio93 // Shutterstock

#16. Madison County

- Cumulative deaths per 100k: 359 (78 total deaths)
--- 72.6% more deaths per 100k residents than North Carolina
--- #1,311 highest rate among all counties nationwide
- New deaths per 100k in the past week: 9.2 (2 new deaths, 0% change from previous week)
- Cumulative cases per 100k: 22,078 (4,803 total cases)
--- 8.9% less cases per 100k residents than North Carolina
- New cases per 100k in the past week: 1,480 (322 new cases, +110% change from previous week)

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OptimumPx // Wikimedia Commons

#15. Cleveland County

- Cumulative deaths per 100k: 361 (354 total deaths)
--- 73.6% more deaths per 100k residents than North Carolina
--- #1,290 highest rate among all counties nationwide
- New deaths per 100k in the past week: 9.2 (9 new deaths, +29% change from previous week)
- Cumulative cases per 100k: 29,388 (28,785 total cases)
--- 21.3% more cases per 100k residents than North Carolina
- New cases per 100k in the past week: 458 (449 new cases, -41% change from previous week)

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Alanteitleman // Wikimedia Commons

#14. Martin County

- Cumulative deaths per 100k: 370 (83 total deaths)
--- 77.9% more deaths per 100k residents than North Carolina
--- #1,221 highest rate among all counties nationwide
- New deaths per 100k in the past week: 8.9 (2 new deaths, 0% change from previous week)
- Cumulative cases per 100k: 26,537 (5,955 total cases)
--- 9.6% more cases per 100k residents than North Carolina
- New cases per 100k in the past week: 334 (75 new cases, -57% change from previous week)

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Upstateherd // Wikimedia Commons

#13. Anson County

- Cumulative deaths per 100k: 372 (91 total deaths)
--- 78.8% more deaths per 100k residents than North Carolina
--- #1,207 highest rate among all counties nationwide
- New deaths per 100k in the past week: 12.3 (3 new deaths, +200% change from previous week)
- Cumulative cases per 100k: 25,967 (6,348 total cases)
--- 7.2% more cases per 100k residents than North Carolina
- New cases per 100k in the past week: 409 (100 new cases, -41% change from previous week)

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Indy beetle // Wikimedia Commons

#12. Duplin County

- Cumulative deaths per 100k: 375 (220 total deaths)
--- 80.3% more deaths per 100k residents than North Carolina
--- #1,187 highest rate among all counties nationwide
- New deaths per 100k in the past week: 20.4 (12 new deaths, +1100% change from previous week)
- Cumulative cases per 100k: 27,165 (15,957 total cases)
--- 12.2% more cases per 100k residents than North Carolina
- New cases per 100k in the past week: 1,127 (662 new cases, +9% change from previous week)

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AlexiusHoratius // Wikimedia Commons

#11. Rowan County

- Cumulative deaths per 100k: 382 (543 total deaths)
--- 83.7% more deaths per 100k residents than North Carolina
--- #1,129 highest rate among all counties nationwide
- New deaths per 100k in the past week: 4.2 (6 new deaths, +20% change from previous week)
- Cumulative cases per 100k: 28,240 (40,126 total cases)
--- 16.6% more cases per 100k residents than North Carolina
- New cases per 100k in the past week: 436 (619 new cases, -34% change from previous week)

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Kenneth C. Zirkel // Wikimedia Commons

#10. Stanly County

- Cumulative deaths per 100k: 384 (241 total deaths)
--- 84.6% more deaths per 100k residents than North Carolina
--- #1,117 highest rate among all counties nationwide
- New deaths per 100k in the past week: 3.2 (2 new deaths, -88% change from previous week)
- Cumulative cases per 100k: 30,287 (19,022 total cases)
--- 25.0% more cases per 100k residents than North Carolina
- New cases per 100k in the past week: 412 (259 new cases, -42% change from previous week)

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Katangais // Wikimedia Commons

#9. Robeson County

- Cumulative deaths per 100k: 385 (503 total deaths)
--- 85.1% more deaths per 100k residents than North Carolina
--- #1,107 highest rate among all counties nationwide
- New deaths per 100k in the past week: 6.9 (9 new deaths, +12% change from previous week)
- Cumulative cases per 100k: 30,159 (39,395 total cases)
--- 24.5% more cases per 100k residents than North Carolina
- New cases per 100k in the past week: 485 (634 new cases, -46% change from previous week)

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Ymblanter // Wikimedia Commons

#8. Washington County

- Cumulative deaths per 100k: 389 (45 total deaths)
--- 87.0% more deaths per 100k residents than North Carolina
--- #1,078 highest rate among all counties nationwide
- New deaths per 100k in the past week: 17.3 (2 new deaths, +100% change from previous week)
- Cumulative cases per 100k: 25,276 (2,927 total cases)
--- 4.4% more cases per 100k residents than North Carolina
- New cases per 100k in the past week: 553 (64 new cases, -21% change from previous week)

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Indy beetle // Wikimedia Commons

#7. Northampton County

- Cumulative deaths per 100k: 395 (77 total deaths)
--- 89.9% more deaths per 100k residents than North Carolina
--- #1,023 highest rate among all counties nationwide
- New deaths per 100k in the past week: 15.4 (3 new deaths, -50% change from previous week)
- Cumulative cases per 100k: 21,634 (4,215 total cases)
--- 10.7% less cases per 100k residents than North Carolina
- New cases per 100k in the past week: 205 (40 new cases, -65% change from previous week)

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Jerrye & Roy Klotz, MD // Wikimedia Commons

#6. Richmond County

- Cumulative deaths per 100k: 402 (180 total deaths)
--- 93.3% more deaths per 100k residents than North Carolina
--- #966 highest rate among all counties nationwide
- New deaths per 100k in the past week: 20.1 (9 new deaths, +125% change from previous week)
- Cumulative cases per 100k: 27,493 (12,325 total cases)
--- 13.5% more cases per 100k residents than North Carolina
- New cases per 100k in the past week: 573 (257 new cases, -36% change from previous week)

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Tradewinds // Wikimedia Commons

#5. Jones County

- Cumulative deaths per 100k: 403 (38 total deaths)
--- 93.8% more deaths per 100k residents than North Carolina
--- #964 highest rate among all counties nationwide
- New deaths per 100k in the past week: 0.0 (0 new deaths, 0% change from previous week)
- Cumulative cases per 100k: 22,805 (2,148 total cases)
--- 5.9% less cases per 100k residents than North Carolina
- New cases per 100k in the past week: 393 (37 new cases, -53% change from previous week)

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G Keith Hall // Wikimedia Commons

#4. Surry County

- Cumulative deaths per 100k: 417 (299 total deaths)
--- 100.5% more deaths per 100k residents than North Carolina
--- #880 highest rate among all counties nationwide
- New deaths per 100k in the past week: 7.0 (5 new deaths, -38% change from previous week)
- Cumulative cases per 100k: 28,362 (20,359 total cases)
--- 17.1% more cases per 100k residents than North Carolina
- New cases per 100k in the past week: 596 (428 new cases, -31% change from previous week)

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Jerrye & Roy Klotz, MD // Wikimedia Commons

#3. Montgomery County

- Cumulative deaths per 100k: 449 (122 total deaths)
--- 115.9% more deaths per 100k residents than North Carolina
--- #665 highest rate among all counties nationwide
- New deaths per 100k in the past week: 22.1 (6 new deaths, +500% change from previous week)
- Cumulative cases per 100k: 26,191 (7,117 total cases)
--- 8.1% more cases per 100k residents than North Carolina
- New cases per 100k in the past week: 313 (85 new cases, -48% change from previous week)

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gerrydincher // Wikimedia Commons

#2. Columbus County

- Cumulative deaths per 100k: 452 (251 total deaths)
--- 117.3% more deaths per 100k residents than North Carolina
--- #639 highest rate among all counties nationwide
- New deaths per 100k in the past week: 0.0 (0 new deaths, -100% change from previous week)
- Cumulative cases per 100k: 27,951 (15,515 total cases)
--- 15.4% more cases per 100k residents than North Carolina
- New cases per 100k in the past week: 340 (189 new cases, -56% change from previous week)

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Nolichuckyjake // Shutterstock

#1. Rutherford County

- Cumulative deaths per 100k: 565 (379 total deaths)
--- 171.6% more deaths per 100k residents than North Carolina
--- #213 highest rate among all counties nationwide
- New deaths per 100k in the past week: 13.4 (9 new deaths, +12% change from previous week)
- Cumulative cases per 100k: 25,283 (16,947 total cases)
--- 4.4% more cases per 100k residents than North Carolina
- New cases per 100k in the past week: 439 (294 new cases, -51% change from previous week)