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 rates—especially in areas with less vaccinated populations.

The United States as of Jan. 19 reached 854,292 COVID-19-related deaths and 67.6 million COVID-19 cases, according to Johns Hopkins University. Currently, 63% of the population is fully vaccinated, and 38.7% 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 Jan. 18, 2021.

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

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Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#50. Person County

- Cumulative deaths per 100k: 241 (95 total deaths)
--- 26.8% more deaths per 100k residents than North Carolina
--- #2,151 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: 17,435 (6,885 total cases)
--- 9.1% less cases per 100k residents than North Carolina
- New cases per 100k in the past week: 831 (328 new cases, -29% change from previous week)

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Donald Lee Pardue // Wikimedia Commons

#49. Randolph County

- Cumulative deaths per 100k: 242 (348 total deaths)
--- 27.4% more deaths per 100k residents than North Carolina
--- #2,136 highest rate among all counties nationwide
- New deaths per 100k in the past week: 2.1 (3 new deaths, +50% change from previous week)
- Cumulative cases per 100k: 19,143 (27,502 total cases)
--- 0.2% less cases per 100k residents than North Carolina
- New cases per 100k in the past week: 802 (1,152 new cases, -14% change from previous week)

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KimWrenn // Wikimedia Commons

#48. Vance County

- Cumulative deaths per 100k: 243 (108 total deaths)
--- 27.9% more deaths per 100k residents than North Carolina
--- #2,130 highest rate among all counties nationwide
- New deaths per 100k in the past week: 9.0 (4 new deaths, 0% change from previous week)
- Cumulative cases per 100k: 21,044 (9,372 total cases)
--- 9.7% more cases per 100k residents than North Carolina
- New cases per 100k in the past week: 887 (395 new cases, -41% change from previous week)

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Wasrts // Wikimedia Commons

#47. Yadkin County

- Cumulative deaths per 100k: 244 (92 total deaths)
--- 28.4% more deaths per 100k residents than North Carolina
--- #2,121 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: 22,479 (8,467 total cases)
--- 17.2% more cases per 100k residents than North Carolina
- New cases per 100k in the past week: 1,054 (397 new cases, -22% change from previous week)

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JNix // Shutterstock

#46. Macon County

- Cumulative deaths per 100k: 245 (88 total deaths)
--- 28.9% more deaths per 100k residents than North Carolina
--- #2,113 highest rate among all counties nationwide
- New deaths per 100k in the past week: 2.8 (1 new deaths, 0% change from previous week)
- Cumulative cases per 100k: 16,526 (5,926 total cases)
--- 13.8% less cases per 100k residents than North Carolina
- New cases per 100k in the past week: 485 (174 new cases, -32% change from previous week)

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Indy beetle // Wikimedia Commons

#45. Rockingham County

- Cumulative deaths per 100k: 251 (228 total deaths)
--- 32.1% more deaths per 100k residents than North Carolina
--- #2,062 highest rate among all counties nationwide
- New deaths per 100k in the past week: 2.2 (2 new deaths, 0% change from previous week)
- Cumulative cases per 100k: 18,376 (16,724 total cases)
--- 4.2% less cases per 100k residents than North Carolina
- New cases per 100k in the past week: 1,270 (1,156 new cases, +33% change from previous week)

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State Archives of North Carolina // Wikimedia Commons

#44. Edgecombe County

- Cumulative deaths per 100k: 253 (130 total deaths)
--- 33.2% more deaths per 100k residents than North Carolina
--- #2,054 highest rate among all counties nationwide
- New deaths per 100k in the past week: 5.8 (3 new deaths, 0% change from previous week)
- Cumulative cases per 100k: 21,480 (11,056 total cases)
--- 12.0% more cases per 100k residents than North Carolina
- New cases per 100k in the past week: 1,372 (706 new cases, -41% change from previous week)

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#43. Haywood County

- Cumulative deaths per 100k: 262 (163 total deaths)
--- 37.9% more deaths per 100k residents than North Carolina
--- #1,969 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: 15,423 (9,611 total cases)
--- 19.6% less cases per 100k residents than North Carolina
- New cases per 100k in the past week: 708 (441 new cases, -16% change from previous week)

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#42. Hyde County

- Cumulative deaths per 100k: 263 (13 total deaths)
--- 38.4% more deaths per 100k residents than North Carolina
--- #1,963 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: 19,870 (981 total cases)
--- 3.6% more cases per 100k residents than North Carolina
- New cases per 100k in the past week: 425 (21 new cases, -63% change from previous week)

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#41. Moore County

- Cumulative deaths per 100k: 264 (266 total deaths)
--- 38.9% more deaths per 100k residents than North Carolina
--- #1,956 highest rate among all counties nationwide
- New deaths per 100k in the past week: 3.0 (3 new deaths, -40% change from previous week)
- Cumulative cases per 100k: 18,247 (18,408 total cases)
--- 4.8% less cases per 100k residents than North Carolina
- New cases per 100k in the past week: 1,295 (1,306 new cases, -12% change from previous week)

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Indy beetle // Wikimedia Commons

#40. Greene County

- Cumulative deaths per 100k: 266 (56 total deaths)
--- 40.0% more deaths per 100k residents than North Carolina
--- #1,939 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: 20,343 (4,286 total cases)
--- 6.1% more cases per 100k residents than North Carolina
- New cases per 100k in the past week: 1,120 (236 new cases, -19% change from previous week)

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BrendaByrneGreene // Wikimedia Commons

#39. Nash County

- Cumulative deaths per 100k: 269 (254 total deaths)
--- 41.6% more deaths per 100k residents than North Carolina
--- #1,912 highest rate among all counties nationwide
- New deaths per 100k in the past week: 5.3 (5 new deaths, +25% change from previous week)
- Cumulative cases per 100k: 22,679 (21,386 total cases)
--- 18.3% more cases per 100k residents than North Carolina
- New cases per 100k in the past week: 1,424 (1,343 new cases, -44% change from previous week)

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Jacalyn Engler // Wikimedia Commons

#38. Stokes County

- Cumulative deaths per 100k: 272 (124 total deaths)
--- 43.2% more deaths per 100k residents than North Carolina
--- #1,883 highest rate among all counties nationwide
- New deaths per 100k in the past week: 4.4 (2 new deaths, 0% change from previous week)
- Cumulative cases per 100k: 18,988 (8,657 total cases)
--- 1.0% less cases per 100k residents than North Carolina
- New cases per 100k in the past week: 888 (405 new cases, -20% change from previous week)

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Indy beetle // Wikimedia Commons

#37. Wayne County

- Cumulative deaths per 100k: 273 (336 total deaths)
--- 43.7% more deaths per 100k residents than North Carolina
--- #1,869 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: 17,749 (21,854 total cases)
--- 7.4% less cases per 100k residents than North Carolina
- New cases per 100k in the past week: 1,073 (1,321 new cases, -10% change from previous week)

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#36. Pasquotank County

- Cumulative deaths per 100k: 279 (111 total deaths)
--- 46.8% more deaths per 100k residents than North Carolina
--- #1,811 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: 16,563 (6,596 total cases)
--- 13.6% less cases per 100k residents than North Carolina
- New cases per 100k in the past week: 537 (214 new cases, -49% change from previous week)

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Nolichuckyjake // Shutterstock

#35. Caldwell County

- Cumulative deaths per 100k: 282 (232 total deaths)
--- 48.4% more deaths per 100k residents than North Carolina
--- #1,785 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: 20,709 (17,018 total cases)
--- 8.0% more cases per 100k residents than North Carolina
- New cases per 100k in the past week: 993 (816 new cases, -14% change from previous week)

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Ron Reiring // Wikimedia Commons

#34. Burke County

- Cumulative deaths per 100k: 286 (259 total deaths)
--- 50.5% more deaths per 100k residents than North Carolina
--- #1,748 highest rate among all counties nationwide
- New deaths per 100k in the past week: 6.6 (6 new deaths, 0% change from previous week)
- Cumulative cases per 100k: 21,131 (19,120 total cases)
--- 10.2% more cases per 100k residents than North Carolina
- New cases per 100k in the past week: 844 (764 new cases, -23% change from previous week)

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#33. Beaufort County

- Cumulative deaths per 100k: 298 (140 total deaths)
--- 56.8% more deaths per 100k residents than North Carolina
--- #1,631 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: 19,360 (9,098 total cases)
--- 1.0% more cases per 100k residents than North Carolina
- New cases per 100k in the past week: 1,087 (511 new cases, 0% change from previous week)

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Ammodramus // Wikimedia Commons

#32. Wilson County

- Cumulative deaths per 100k: 298 (244 total deaths)
--- 56.8% more deaths per 100k residents than North Carolina
--- #1,628 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: 20,870 (17,072 total cases)
--- 8.8% more cases per 100k residents than North Carolina
- New cases per 100k in the past week: 1,216 (995 new cases, -22% change from previous week)

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Upstateherd // Wikimedia Commons

#31. Gaston County

- Cumulative deaths per 100k: 299 (672 total deaths)
--- 57.4% more deaths per 100k residents than North Carolina
--- #1,612 highest rate among all counties nationwide
- New deaths per 100k in the past week: 5.8 (13 new deaths, +117% change from previous week)
- Cumulative cases per 100k: 23,114 (51,897 total cases)
--- 20.5% more cases per 100k residents than North Carolina
- New cases per 100k in the past week: 986 (2,213 new cases, -27% change from previous week)

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Cecouchman // Wikimedia Commons

#30. Halifax County

- Cumulative deaths per 100k: 300 (150 total deaths)
--- 57.9% more deaths per 100k residents than North Carolina
--- #1,604 highest rate among all counties nationwide
- New deaths per 100k in the past week: 2.0 (1 new deaths, -67% change from previous week)
- Cumulative cases per 100k: 22,236 (11,120 total cases)
--- 16.0% more cases per 100k residents than North Carolina
- New cases per 100k in the past week: 1,388 (694 new cases, -50% change from previous week)

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Theresaperry44 // Wikimedia Commons

#29. Bertie County

- Cumulative deaths per 100k: 301 (57 total deaths)
--- 58.4% more deaths per 100k residents than North Carolina
--- #1,594 highest rate among all counties nationwide
- New deaths per 100k in the past week: 15.8 (3 new deaths, 0% change from previous week)
- Cumulative cases per 100k: 17,813 (3,375 total cases)
--- 7.1% less cases per 100k residents than North Carolina
- New cases per 100k in the past week: 1,309 (248 new cases, -27% change from previous week)

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Nolichuckyjake // Shutterstock

#28. Catawba County

- Cumulative deaths per 100k: 302 (482 total deaths)
--- 58.9% more deaths per 100k residents than North Carolina
--- #1,580 highest rate among all counties nationwide
- New deaths per 100k in the past week: 3.8 (6 new deaths, -50% change from previous week)
- Cumulative cases per 100k: 22,682 (36,189 total cases)
--- 18.3% more cases per 100k residents than North Carolina
- New cases per 100k in the past week: 1,084 (1,730 new cases, -16% change from previous week)

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Upstateherd // Wikimedia Commons

#27. Wilkes County

- Cumulative deaths per 100k: 303 (207 total deaths)
--- 59.5% more deaths per 100k residents than North Carolina
--- #1,569 highest rate among all counties nationwide
- New deaths per 100k in the past week: 1.5 (1 new deaths, 0% change from previous week)
- Cumulative cases per 100k: 19,833 (13,568 total cases)
--- 3.4% more cases per 100k residents than North Carolina
- New cases per 100k in the past week: 817 (559 new cases, -18% change from previous week)

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ncwetlands.org// Wikimedia Commons

#26. Bladen County

- Cumulative deaths per 100k: 306 (100 total deaths)
--- 61.1% more deaths per 100k residents than North Carolina
--- #1,545 highest rate among all counties nationwide
- New deaths per 100k in the past week: 3.1 (1 new deaths, 0% change from previous week)
- Cumulative cases per 100k: 21,377 (6,995 total cases)
--- 11.5% more cases per 100k residents than North Carolina
- New cases per 100k in the past week: 1,473 (482 new cases, +18% change from previous week)

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RnR // Wikimedia Commons

#25. McDowell County

- Cumulative deaths per 100k: 306 (140 total deaths)
--- 61.1% more deaths per 100k residents than North Carolina
--- #1,543 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: 22,583 (10,333 total cases)
--- 17.8% more cases per 100k residents than North Carolina
- New cases per 100k in the past week: 824 (377 new cases, -12% change from previous week)

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James R Poston // Shutterstock

#24. Cherokee County

- Cumulative deaths per 100k: 315 (90 total deaths)
--- 65.8% more deaths per 100k residents than North Carolina
--- #1,471 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: 19,488 (5,576 total cases)
--- 1.6% more cases per 100k residents than North Carolina
- New cases per 100k in the past week: 884 (253 new cases, -11% change from previous week)

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Ken Thomas // Wikimedia Commons

#23. Alexander County

- Cumulative deaths per 100k: 320 (120 total deaths)
--- 68.4% more deaths per 100k residents than North Carolina
--- #1,411 highest rate among all counties nationwide
- New deaths per 100k in the past week: 2.7 (1 new deaths, 0% change from previous week)
- Cumulative cases per 100k: 21,828 (8,185 total cases)
--- 13.8% more cases per 100k residents than North Carolina
- New cases per 100k in the past week: 869 (326 new cases, -35% change from previous week)

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Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#22. Scotland County

- Cumulative deaths per 100k: 322 (112 total deaths)
--- 69.5% more deaths per 100k residents than North Carolina
--- #1,392 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: 22,660 (7,891 total cases)
--- 18.2% more cases per 100k residents than North Carolina
- New cases per 100k in the past week: 2,191 (763 new cases, +11% change from previous week)

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Bethbrownebooks // Wikimedia Commons

#21. Chowan County

- Cumulative deaths per 100k: 323 (45 total deaths)
--- 70.0% more deaths per 100k residents than North Carolina
--- #1,388 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: 22,743 (3,171 total cases)
--- 18.6% more cases per 100k residents than North Carolina
- New cases per 100k in the past week: 1,341 (187 new cases, -42% change from previous week)

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Boston Public Library // Wikimedia Commons

#20. Hertford County

- Cumulative deaths per 100k: 325 (77 total deaths)
--- 71.1% more deaths per 100k residents than North Carolina
--- #1,378 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: 16,349 (3,871 total cases)
--- 14.7% less cases per 100k residents than North Carolina
- New cases per 100k in the past week: 1,081 (256 new cases, -42% change from previous week)

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Indy beetle // Wikimedia Commons

#19. Lenoir County

- Cumulative deaths per 100k: 325 (182 total deaths)
--- 71.1% more deaths per 100k residents than North Carolina
--- #1,373 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: 20,905 (11,696 total cases)
--- 9.0% more cases per 100k residents than North Carolina
- New cases per 100k in the past week: 794 (444 new cases, -36% change from previous week)

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Toribio93 // Shutterstock

#18. Madison County

- Cumulative deaths per 100k: 326 (71 total deaths)
--- 71.6% more deaths per 100k residents than North Carolina
--- #1,365 highest rate among all counties nationwide
- New deaths per 100k in the past week: 13.8 (3 new deaths, +50% change from previous week)
- Cumulative cases per 100k: 16,598 (3,611 total cases)
--- 13.4% less cases per 100k residents than North Carolina
- New cases per 100k in the past week: 607 (132 new cases, -40% change from previous week)

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digidreamgrafix // Shutterstock

#17. Graham County

- Cumulative deaths per 100k: 332 (28 total deaths)
--- 74.7% more deaths per 100k residents than North Carolina
--- #1,316 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: 19,749 (1,667 total cases)
--- 3.0% more cases per 100k residents than North Carolina
- New cases per 100k in the past week: 1,173 (99 new cases, +19% change from previous week)

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OptimumPx // Wikimedia Commons

#16. Cleveland County

- Cumulative deaths per 100k: 334 (327 total deaths)
--- 75.8% more deaths per 100k residents than North Carolina
--- #1,300 highest rate among all counties nationwide
- New deaths per 100k in the past week: 1.0 (1 new deaths, -50% change from previous week)
- Cumulative cases per 100k: 23,811 (23,322 total cases)
--- 24.2% more cases per 100k residents than North Carolina
- New cases per 100k in the past week: 986 (966 new cases, -42% change from previous week)

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George Dukin // Shutterstock

#15. Clay County

- Cumulative deaths per 100k: 338 (38 total deaths)
--- 77.9% more deaths per 100k residents than North Carolina
--- #1,263 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: 17,737 (1,992 total cases)
--- 7.5% less cases per 100k residents than North Carolina
- New cases per 100k in the past week: 819 (92 new cases, -9% change from previous week)

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Indy beetle // Wikimedia Commons

#14. Northampton County

- Cumulative deaths per 100k: 339 (66 total deaths)
--- 78.4% more deaths per 100k residents than North Carolina
--- #1,254 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: 17,867 (3,481 total cases)
--- 6.8% less cases per 100k residents than North Carolina
- New cases per 100k in the past week: 1,119 (218 new cases, -40% change from previous week)

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Alanteitleman // Wikimedia Commons

#13. Martin County

- Cumulative deaths per 100k: 343 (77 total deaths)
--- 80.5% more deaths per 100k residents than North Carolina
--- #1,220 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: 20,495 (4,599 total cases)
--- 6.9% more cases per 100k residents than North Carolina
- New cases per 100k in the past week: 1,288 (289 new cases, -10% change from previous week)

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Kenneth C. Zirkel // Wikimedia Commons

#12. Stanly County

- Cumulative deaths per 100k: 344 (216 total deaths)
--- 81.1% more deaths per 100k residents than North Carolina
--- #1,207 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: 23,897 (15,009 total cases)
--- 24.6% more cases per 100k residents than North Carolina
- New cases per 100k in the past week: 1,302 (818 new cases, -4% change from previous week)

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Ymblanter // Wikimedia Commons

#11. Washington County

- Cumulative deaths per 100k: 345 (40 total deaths)
--- 81.6% more deaths per 100k residents than North Carolina
--- #1,205 highest rate among all counties nationwide
- New deaths per 100k in the past week: 8.6 (1 new deaths, 0% change from previous week)
- Cumulative cases per 100k: 19,370 (2,243 total cases)
--- 1.0% more cases per 100k residents than North Carolina
- New cases per 100k in the past week: 1,563 (181 new cases, -31% change from previous week)

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Indy beetle // Wikimedia Commons

#10. Duplin County

- Cumulative deaths per 100k: 346 (203 total deaths)
--- 82.1% more deaths per 100k residents than North Carolina
--- #1,195 highest rate among all counties nationwide
- New deaths per 100k in the past week: 1.7 (1 new deaths, -67% change from previous week)
- Cumulative cases per 100k: 20,962 (12,313 total cases)
--- 9.3% more cases per 100k residents than North Carolina
- New cases per 100k in the past week: 1,067 (627 new cases, -18% change from previous week)

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Jerrye & Roy Klotz, MD // Wikimedia Commons

#9. Richmond County

- Cumulative deaths per 100k: 350 (157 total deaths)
--- 84.2% more deaths per 100k residents than North Carolina
--- #1,170 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: 21,000 (9,414 total cases)
--- 9.5% more cases per 100k residents than North Carolina
- New cases per 100k in the past week: 1,376 (617 new cases, -8% change from previous week)

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Upstateherd // Wikimedia Commons

#8. Anson County

- Cumulative deaths per 100k: 352 (86 total deaths)
--- 85.3% more deaths per 100k residents than North Carolina
--- #1,152 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: 20,453 (5,000 total cases)
--- 6.7% more cases per 100k residents than North Carolina
- New cases per 100k in the past week: 1,411 (345 new cases, +6% change from previous week)

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Katangais // Wikimedia Commons

#7. Robeson County

- Cumulative deaths per 100k: 355 (464 total deaths)
--- 86.8% more deaths per 100k residents than North Carolina
--- #1,124 highest rate among all counties nationwide
- New deaths per 100k in the past week: 3.1 (4 new deaths, 0% change from previous week)
- Cumulative cases per 100k: 24,068 (31,439 total cases)
--- 25.5% more cases per 100k residents than North Carolina
- New cases per 100k in the past week: 1,321 (1,726 new cases, -17% change from previous week)

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AlexiusHoratius // Wikimedia Commons

#6. Rowan County

- Cumulative deaths per 100k: 360 (512 total deaths)
--- 89.5% more deaths per 100k residents than North Carolina
--- #1,090 highest rate among all counties nationwide
- New deaths per 100k in the past week: 6.3 (9 new deaths, +125% change from previous week)
- Cumulative cases per 100k: 23,074 (32,786 total cases)
--- 20.3% more cases per 100k residents than North Carolina
- New cases per 100k in the past week: 910 (1,293 new cases, -27% change from previous week)

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G Keith Hall // Wikimedia Commons

#5. Surry County

- Cumulative deaths per 100k: 372 (267 total deaths)
--- 95.8% more deaths per 100k residents than North Carolina
--- #993 highest rate among all counties nationwide
- New deaths per 100k in the past week: 7.0 (5 new deaths, +25% change from previous week)
- Cumulative cases per 100k: 22,950 (16,474 total cases)
--- 19.7% more cases per 100k residents than North Carolina
- New cases per 100k in the past week: 1,064 (764 new cases, -10% change from previous week)

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Tradewinds // Wikimedia Commons

#4. Jones County

- Cumulative deaths per 100k: 403 (38 total deaths)
--- 112.1% more deaths per 100k residents than North Carolina
--- #785 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: 17,497 (1,648 total cases)
--- 8.8% less cases per 100k residents than North Carolina
- New cases per 100k in the past week: 690 (65 new cases, -33% change from previous week)

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Jerrye & Roy Klotz, MD // Wikimedia Commons

#3. Montgomery County

- Cumulative deaths per 100k: 412 (112 total deaths)
--- 116.8% more deaths per 100k residents than North Carolina
--- #715 highest rate among all counties nationwide
- New deaths per 100k in the past week: 3.7 (1 new deaths, 0% change from previous week)
- Cumulative cases per 100k: 20,583 (5,593 total cases)
--- 7.3% more cases per 100k residents than North Carolina
- New cases per 100k in the past week: 1,181 (321 new cases, +5% change from previous week)

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gerrydincher // Wikimedia Commons

#2. Columbus County

- Cumulative deaths per 100k: 423 (235 total deaths)
--- 122.6% more deaths per 100k residents than North Carolina
--- #643 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: 21,781 (12,090 total cases)
--- 13.6% more cases per 100k residents than North Carolina
- New cases per 100k in the past week: 901 (500 new cases, -26% change from previous week)

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#1. Rutherford County

- Cumulative deaths per 100k: 525 (352 total deaths)
--- 176.3% more deaths per 100k residents than North Carolina
--- #229 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: 20,147 (13,504 total cases)
--- 5.1% more cases per 100k residents than North Carolina
- New cases per 100k in the past week: 886 (594 new cases, +20% change from previous week)