Counties with the highest COVID-19 death rate in Virginia
Counties with the highest COVID-19 death rate in Virginia
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 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 Virginia 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.
#50. Mathews County
--- 47.1% more deaths per 100k residents than Virginia
--- #1,782 highest rate among all counties nationwide
- New deaths per 100k in the past week: 22.6 (2 new deaths, +100% change from previous week)
- Cumulative cases per 100k: 15,848 (1,400 total cases)
--- 16.2% less cases per 100k residents than Virginia
- New cases per 100k in the past week: 260 (23 new cases, -36% change from previous week)
#49. Lynchburg city
--- 47.6% more deaths per 100k residents than Virginia
--- #1,766 highest rate among all counties nationwide
- New deaths per 100k in the past week: 13.4 (11 new deaths, 0% change from previous week)
- Cumulative cases per 100k: 23,077 (18,962 total cases)
--- 22.1% more cases per 100k residents than Virginia
- New cases per 100k in the past week: 617 (507 new cases, -18% change from previous week)
#48. Accomack County
--- 50.5% more deaths per 100k residents than Virginia
--- #1,718 highest rate among all counties nationwide
- New deaths per 100k in the past week: 12.4 (4 new deaths, -43% change from previous week)
- Cumulative cases per 100k: 21,311 (6,887 total cases)
--- 12.7% more cases per 100k residents than Virginia
- New cases per 100k in the past week: 192 (62 new cases, -9% change from previous week)
#47. Bland County
--- 52.9% more deaths per 100k residents than Virginia
--- #1,662 highest rate among all counties nationwide
- New deaths per 100k in the past week: 15.9 (1 new deaths, 0% change from previous week)
- Cumulative cases per 100k: 27,022 (1,697 total cases)
--- 42.9% more cases per 100k residents than Virginia
- New cases per 100k in the past week: 812 (51 new cases, -34% change from previous week)
#46. Roanoke city
--- 54.3% more deaths per 100k residents than Virginia
--- #1,633 highest rate among all counties nationwide
- New deaths per 100k in the past week: 15.1 (15 new deaths, -21% change from previous week)
- Cumulative cases per 100k: 20,622 (20,445 total cases)
--- 9.1% more cases per 100k residents than Virginia
- New cases per 100k in the past week: 306 (303 new cases, -45% change from previous week)
#45. Rockbridge County
--- 55.3% more deaths per 100k residents than Virginia
--- #1,620 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: 13,755 (3,105 total cases)
--- 27.2% less cases per 100k residents than Virginia
- New cases per 100k in the past week: 279 (63 new cases, -36% change from previous week)
#44. Campbell County
--- 56.7% more deaths per 100k residents than Virginia
--- #1,593 highest rate among all counties nationwide
- New deaths per 100k in the past week: 14.6 (8 new deaths, +300% change from previous week)
- Cumulative cases per 100k: 19,645 (10,782 total cases)
--- 3.9% more cases per 100k residents than Virginia
- New cases per 100k in the past week: 618 (339 new cases, +34% change from previous week)
#43. Warren County
--- 59.1% more deaths per 100k residents than Virginia
--- #1,549 highest rate among all counties nationwide
- New deaths per 100k in the past week: 17.4 (7 new deaths, +40% change from previous week)
- Cumulative cases per 100k: 20,556 (8,256 total cases)
--- 8.7% more cases per 100k residents than Virginia
- New cases per 100k in the past week: 224 (90 new cases, -37% change from previous week)
#42. Lee County
--- 60.1% more deaths per 100k residents than Virginia
--- #1,536 highest rate among all counties nationwide
- New deaths per 100k in the past week: 8.5 (2 new deaths, 0% change from previous week)
- Cumulative cases per 100k: 25,185 (5,899 total cases)
--- 33.2% more cases per 100k residents than Virginia
- New cases per 100k in the past week: 1,033 (242 new cases, -31% change from previous week)
#41. Pulaski County
--- 65.4% more deaths per 100k residents than Virginia
--- #1,435 highest rate among all counties nationwide
- New deaths per 100k in the past week: 5.9 (2 new deaths, -50% change from previous week)
- Cumulative cases per 100k: 20,119 (6,846 total cases)
--- 6.4% more cases per 100k residents than Virginia
- New cases per 100k in the past week: 773 (263 new cases, -13% change from previous week)
#40. Northumberland County
--- 66.8% more deaths per 100k residents than Virginia
--- #1,416 highest rate among all counties nationwide
- New deaths per 100k in the past week: 8.3 (1 new deaths, -50% change from previous week)
- Cumulative cases per 100k: 17,520 (2,119 total cases)
--- 7.3% less cases per 100k residents than Virginia
- New cases per 100k in the past week: 380 (46 new cases, -26% change from previous week)
#39. Mecklenburg County
--- 66.8% more deaths per 100k residents than Virginia
--- #1,412 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: 18,815 (5,755 total cases)
--- 0.5% less cases per 100k residents than Virginia
- New cases per 100k in the past week: 791 (242 new cases, +3% change from previous week)
#38. Tazewell County
--- 68.3% more deaths per 100k residents than Virginia
--- #1,386 highest rate among all counties nationwide
- New deaths per 100k in the past week: 14.8 (6 new deaths, -25% change from previous week)
- Cumulative cases per 100k: 23,399 (9,499 total cases)
--- 23.8% more cases per 100k residents than Virginia
- New cases per 100k in the past week: 1,047 (425 new cases, +4% change from previous week)
#37. Russell County
--- 70.2% more deaths per 100k residents than Virginia
--- #1,354 highest rate among all counties nationwide
- New deaths per 100k in the past week: 11.3 (3 new deaths, -57% change from previous week)
- Cumulative cases per 100k: 24,268 (6,452 total cases)
--- 28.4% more cases per 100k residents than Virginia
- New cases per 100k in the past week: 861 (229 new cases, -28% change from previous week)
#36. Covington city
--- 73.6% more deaths per 100k residents than Virginia
--- #1,296 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: 16,468 (912 total cases)
--- 12.9% less cases per 100k residents than Virginia
- New cases per 100k in the past week: 54 (3 new cases, 0% change from previous week)
#35. Washington County
--- 77.9% more deaths per 100k residents than Virginia
--- #1,218 highest rate among all counties nationwide
- New deaths per 100k in the past week: 9.3 (5 new deaths, +67% change from previous week)
- Cumulative cases per 100k: 24,475 (13,153 total cases)
--- 29.5% more cases per 100k residents than Virginia
- New cases per 100k in the past week: 899 (483 new cases, -17% change from previous week)
#34. Charles City County
--- 79.3% more deaths per 100k residents than Virginia
--- #1,203 highest rate among all counties nationwide
- New deaths per 100k in the past week: 28.7 (2 new deaths, +100% change from previous week)
- Cumulative cases per 100k: 16,186 (1,127 total cases)
--- 14.4% less cases per 100k residents than Virginia
- New cases per 100k in the past week: 115 (8 new cases, -43% change from previous week)
#33. Bristol city
--- 86.5% more deaths per 100k residents than Virginia
--- #1,083 highest rate among all counties nationwide
- New deaths per 100k in the past week: 6.0 (1 new deaths, 0% change from previous week)
- Cumulative cases per 100k: 25,027 (4,195 total cases)
--- 32.4% more cases per 100k residents than Virginia
- New cases per 100k in the past week: 782 (131 new cases, -38% change from previous week)
#32. Staunton city
--- 88.9% more deaths per 100k residents than Virginia
--- #1,042 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: 21,687 (5,407 total cases)
--- 14.7% more cases per 100k residents than Virginia
- New cases per 100k in the past week: 429 (107 new cases, -24% change from previous week)
#31. Amelia County
--- 90.4% more deaths per 100k residents than Virginia
--- #1,017 highest rate among all counties nationwide
- New deaths per 100k in the past week: 7.6 (1 new deaths, -75% change from previous week)
- Cumulative cases per 100k: 19,277 (2,534 total cases)
--- 2.0% more cases per 100k residents than Virginia
- New cases per 100k in the past week: 472 (62 new cases, -9% change from previous week)
#30. Middlesex County
--- 90.9% more deaths per 100k residents than Virginia
--- #1,007 highest rate among all counties nationwide
- New deaths per 100k in the past week: 9.5 (1 new deaths, -80% change from previous week)
- Cumulative cases per 100k: 16,641 (1,761 total cases)
--- 12.0% less cases per 100k residents than Virginia
- New cases per 100k in the past week: 302 (32 new cases, -22% change from previous week)
#29. Salem city
--- 91.8% more deaths per 100k residents than Virginia
--- #989 highest rate among all counties nationwide
- New deaths per 100k in the past week: 31.6 (8 new deaths, +33% change from previous week)
- Cumulative cases per 100k: 26,137 (6,613 total cases)
--- 38.2% more cases per 100k residents than Virginia
- New cases per 100k in the past week: 541 (137 new cases, -36% change from previous week)
#28. Petersburg city
--- 91.8% more deaths per 100k residents than Virginia
--- #987 highest rate among all counties nationwide
- New deaths per 100k in the past week: 12.8 (4 new deaths, -33% change from previous week)
- Cumulative cases per 100k: 25,984 (8,145 total cases)
--- 37.4% more cases per 100k residents than Virginia
- New cases per 100k in the past week: 316 (99 new cases, +30% change from previous week)
#27. Halifax County
--- 95.7% more deaths per 100k residents than Virginia
--- #939 highest rate among all counties nationwide
- New deaths per 100k in the past week: 2.9 (1 new deaths, -88% change from previous week)
- Cumulative cases per 100k: 19,879 (6,741 total cases)
--- 5.1% more cases per 100k residents than Virginia
- New cases per 100k in the past week: 490 (166 new cases, -24% change from previous week)
#26. Bath County
--- 97.1% more deaths per 100k residents than Virginia
--- #929 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: 20,497 (850 total cases)
--- 8.4% more cases per 100k residents than Virginia
- New cases per 100k in the past week: 386 (16 new cases, -67% change from previous week)
#25. Carroll County
--- 109.6% more deaths per 100k residents than Virginia
--- #757 highest rate among all counties nationwide
- New deaths per 100k in the past week: 10.1 (3 new deaths, -62% change from previous week)
- Cumulative cases per 100k: 21,298 (6,345 total cases)
--- 12.7% more cases per 100k residents than Virginia
- New cases per 100k in the past week: 608 (181 new cases, -4% change from previous week)
#24. Buchanan County
--- 110.6% more deaths per 100k residents than Virginia
--- #745 highest rate among all counties nationwide
- New deaths per 100k in the past week: 4.8 (1 new deaths, 0% change from previous week)
- Cumulative cases per 100k: 20,944 (4,399 total cases)
--- 10.8% more cases per 100k residents than Virginia
- New cases per 100k in the past week: 643 (135 new cases, -27% change from previous week)
#23. Scott County
--- 113.9% more deaths per 100k residents than Virginia
--- #700 highest rate among all counties nationwide
- New deaths per 100k in the past week: 4.6 (1 new deaths, -50% change from previous week)
- Cumulative cases per 100k: 25,090 (5,411 total cases)
--- 32.7% more cases per 100k residents than Virginia
- New cases per 100k in the past week: 978 (211 new cases, -11% change from previous week)
#22. Page County
--- 115.4% more deaths per 100k residents than Virginia
--- #672 highest rate among all counties nationwide
- New deaths per 100k in the past week: 16.7 (4 new deaths, -33% change from previous week)
- Cumulative cases per 100k: 22,726 (5,432 total cases)
--- 20.2% more cases per 100k residents than Virginia
- New cases per 100k in the past week: 268 (64 new cases, -50% change from previous week)
#21. Wythe County
--- 116.3% more deaths per 100k residents than Virginia
--- #659 highest rate among all counties nationwide
- New deaths per 100k in the past week: 7.0 (2 new deaths, -67% change from previous week)
- Cumulative cases per 100k: 24,885 (7,138 total cases)
--- 31.6% more cases per 100k residents than Virginia
- New cases per 100k in the past week: 892 (256 new cases, -17% change from previous week)
#20. Henry County
--- 116.8% more deaths per 100k residents than Virginia
--- #648 highest rate among all counties nationwide
- New deaths per 100k in the past week: 7.9 (4 new deaths, -43% change from previous week)
- Cumulative cases per 100k: 21,364 (10,801 total cases)
--- 13.0% more cases per 100k residents than Virginia
- New cases per 100k in the past week: 546 (276 new cases, +13% change from previous week)
#19. Wise County
--- 117.3% more deaths per 100k residents than Virginia
--- #640 highest rate among all counties nationwide
- New deaths per 100k in the past week: 18.7 (7 new deaths, +250% change from previous week)
- Cumulative cases per 100k: 25,621 (9,578 total cases)
--- 35.5% more cases per 100k residents than Virginia
- New cases per 100k in the past week: 1,319 (493 new cases, -15% change from previous week)
#18. Northampton County
--- 117.8% more deaths per 100k residents than Virginia
--- #637 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: 18,053 (2,114 total cases)
--- 4.5% less cases per 100k residents than Virginia
- New cases per 100k in the past week: 239 (28 new cases, -44% change from previous week)
#17. Southampton County
--- 118.3% more deaths per 100k residents than Virginia
--- #629 highest rate among all counties nationwide
- New deaths per 100k in the past week: 11.3 (2 new deaths, -33% change from previous week)
- Cumulative cases per 100k: 18,416 (3,247 total cases)
--- 2.6% less cases per 100k residents than Virginia
- New cases per 100k in the past week: 136 (24 new cases, -68% change from previous week)
#16. Patrick County
--- 124.0% more deaths per 100k residents than Virginia
--- #564 highest rate among all counties nationwide
- New deaths per 100k in the past week: 11.4 (2 new deaths, -67% change from previous week)
- Cumulative cases per 100k: 19,196 (3,380 total cases)
--- 1.5% more cases per 100k residents than Virginia
- New cases per 100k in the past week: 460 (81 new cases, -32% change from previous week)
#15. Grayson County
--- 128.8% more deaths per 100k residents than Virginia
--- #513 highest rate among all counties nationwide
- New deaths per 100k in the past week: 6.4 (1 new deaths, -83% change from previous week)
- Cumulative cases per 100k: 24,264 (3,773 total cases)
--- 28.3% more cases per 100k residents than Virginia
- New cases per 100k in the past week: 1,646 (256 new cases, +14% change from previous week)
#14. Smyth County
--- 131.7% more deaths per 100k residents than Virginia
--- #486 highest rate among all counties nationwide
- New deaths per 100k in the past week: 3.3 (1 new deaths, 0% change from previous week)
- Cumulative cases per 100k: 27,060 (8,146 total cases)
--- 43.1% more cases per 100k residents than Virginia
- New cases per 100k in the past week: 1,252 (377 new cases, -24% change from previous week)
#13. Hopewell city
--- 134.6% more deaths per 100k residents than Virginia
--- #458 highest rate among all counties nationwide
- New deaths per 100k in the past week: 17.8 (4 new deaths, -20% change from previous week)
- Cumulative cases per 100k: 26,779 (6,033 total cases)
--- 41.6% more cases per 100k residents than Virginia
- New cases per 100k in the past week: 360 (81 new cases, -23% change from previous week)
#12. Shenandoah County
--- 137.0% more deaths per 100k residents than Virginia
--- #437 highest rate among all counties nationwide
- New deaths per 100k in the past week: 11.5 (5 new deaths, -67% change from previous week)
- Cumulative cases per 100k: 24,067 (10,497 total cases)
--- 27.3% more cases per 100k residents than Virginia
- New cases per 100k in the past week: 296 (129 new cases, -43% change from previous week)
#11. Colonial Heights city
--- 140.9% more deaths per 100k residents than Virginia
--- #416 highest rate among all counties nationwide
- New deaths per 100k in the past week: 46.1 (8 new deaths, +60% change from previous week)
- Cumulative cases per 100k: 27,047 (4,698 total cases)
--- 43.1% more cases per 100k residents than Virginia
- New cases per 100k in the past week: 581 (101 new cases, -25% change from previous week)
#10. Nottoway County
--- 146.2% more deaths per 100k residents than Virginia
--- #378 highest rate among all counties nationwide
- New deaths per 100k in the past week: 19.7 (3 new deaths, +200% change from previous week)
- Cumulative cases per 100k: 25,295 (3,853 total cases)
--- 33.8% more cases per 100k residents than Virginia
- New cases per 100k in the past week: 657 (100 new cases, 0% change from previous week)
#9. Lexington city
--- 151.9% more deaths per 100k residents than Virginia
--- #324 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: 36,839 (2,743 total cases)
--- 94.9% more cases per 100k residents than Virginia
- New cases per 100k in the past week: 792 (59 new cases, -50% change from previous week)
#8. Franklin city
--- 165.4% more deaths per 100k residents than Virginia
--- #243 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: 30,614 (2,439 total cases)
--- 61.9% more cases per 100k residents than Virginia
- New cases per 100k in the past week: 163 (13 new cases, -72% change from previous week)
#7. Norton city
--- 165.9% more deaths per 100k residents than Virginia
--- #240 highest rate among all counties nationwide
- New deaths per 100k in the past week: 25.1 (1 new deaths, 0% change from previous week)
- Cumulative cases per 100k: 30,620 (1,219 total cases)
--- 62.0% more cases per 100k residents than Virginia
- New cases per 100k in the past week: 1,859 (74 new cases, +3% change from previous week)
#6. Danville city
--- 180.8% more deaths per 100k residents than Virginia
--- #180 highest rate among all counties nationwide
- New deaths per 100k in the past week: 22.5 (9 new deaths, +50% change from previous week)
- Cumulative cases per 100k: 26,428 (10,583 total cases)
--- 39.8% more cases per 100k residents than Virginia
- New cases per 100k in the past week: 764 (306 new cases, +23% change from previous week)
#5. Buena Vista city
--- 189.4% more deaths per 100k residents than Virginia
--- #160 highest rate among all counties nationwide
- New deaths per 100k in the past week: 15.4 (1 new deaths, -50% change from previous week)
- Cumulative cases per 100k: 29,639 (1,920 total cases)
--- 56.8% more cases per 100k residents than Virginia
- New cases per 100k in the past week: 525 (34 new cases, -38% change from previous week)
#4. Alleghany County
--- 207.2% more deaths per 100k residents than Virginia
--- #116 highest rate among all counties nationwide
- New deaths per 100k in the past week: 13.5 (2 new deaths, -33% change from previous week)
- Cumulative cases per 100k: 23,553 (3,500 total cases)
--- 24.6% more cases per 100k residents than Virginia
- New cases per 100k in the past week: 707 (105 new cases, -5% change from previous week)
#3. Martinsville city
--- 309.6% more deaths per 100k residents than Virginia
--- #13 highest rate among all counties nationwide
- New deaths per 100k in the past week: 23.9 (3 new deaths, 0% change from previous week)
- Cumulative cases per 100k: 24,223 (3,041 total cases)
--- 28.1% more cases per 100k residents than Virginia
- New cases per 100k in the past week: 462 (58 new cases, +4% change from previous week)
#2. Emporia city
--- 340.9% more deaths per 100k residents than Virginia
--- #7 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: 20,352 (1,088 total cases)
--- 7.6% more cases per 100k residents than Virginia
- New cases per 100k in the past week: 206 (11 new cases, -74% change from previous week)
#1. Galax city
--- 445.2% more deaths per 100k residents than Virginia
--- #1 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: 38,885 (2,468 total cases)
--- 105.7% more cases per 100k residents than Virginia
- New cases per 100k in the past week: 1,418 (90 new cases, -5% change from previous week)