Counties with the highest COVID-19 death rate in West Virginia
Counties with the highest COVID-19 death rate in West 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 West 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. Gilmer County
--- 35.4% less deaths per 100k residents than West Virginia
--- #2,467 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: 25,936 (2,029 total cases)
--- 2.5% less cases per 100k residents than West Virginia
- New cases per 100k in the past week: 703 (55 new cases, -30% change from previous week)
#49. Pendleton County
--- 31.5% less deaths per 100k residents than West Virginia
--- #2,384 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: 26,876 (1,873 total cases)
--- 1.0% more cases per 100k residents than West Virginia
- New cases per 100k in the past week: 474 (33 new cases, -51% change from previous week)
#48. Randolph County
--- 31.5% less deaths per 100k residents than West Virginia
--- #2,379 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: 31,295 (8,980 total cases)
--- 17.6% more cases per 100k residents than West Virginia
- New cases per 100k in the past week: 1,255 (360 new cases, -31% change from previous week)
#47. Roane County
--- 28.3% less deaths per 100k residents than West Virginia
--- #2,310 highest rate among all counties nationwide
- New deaths per 100k in the past week: 7.3 (1 new deaths, 0% change from previous week)
- Cumulative cases per 100k: 21,917 (3,000 total cases)
--- 17.6% less cases per 100k residents than West Virginia
- New cases per 100k in the past week: 636 (87 new cases, -14% change from previous week)
#46. Wayne County
--- 24.4% less deaths per 100k residents than West Virginia
--- #2,210 highest rate among all counties nationwide
- New deaths per 100k in the past week: 2.5 (1 new deaths, -50% change from previous week)
- Cumulative cases per 100k: 24,019 (9,464 total cases)
--- 9.8% less cases per 100k residents than West Virginia
- New cases per 100k in the past week: 632 (249 new cases, -41% change from previous week)
#45. Braxton County
--- 19.0% less deaths per 100k residents than West Virginia
--- #2,075 highest rate among all counties nationwide
- New deaths per 100k in the past week: 21.5 (3 new deaths, 0% change from previous week)
- Cumulative cases per 100k: 25,657 (3,581 total cases)
--- 3.6% less cases per 100k residents than West Virginia
- New cases per 100k in the past week: 702 (98 new cases, +48% change from previous week)
#44. Hampshire County
--- 17.9% less deaths per 100k residents than West Virginia
--- #2,037 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: 24,220 (5,613 total cases)
--- 9.0% less cases per 100k residents than West Virginia
- New cases per 100k in the past week: 457 (106 new cases, -41% change from previous week)
#43. Marion County
--- 17.3% less deaths per 100k residents than West Virginia
--- #2,014 highest rate among all counties nationwide
- New deaths per 100k in the past week: 5.4 (3 new deaths, +50% change from previous week)
- Cumulative cases per 100k: 25,077 (14,061 total cases)
--- 5.8% less cases per 100k residents than West Virginia
- New cases per 100k in the past week: 694 (389 new cases, -14% change from previous week)
#42. Putnam County
--- 17.3% less deaths per 100k residents than West Virginia
--- #2,013 highest rate among all counties nationwide
- New deaths per 100k in the past week: 7.1 (4 new deaths, 0% change from previous week)
- Cumulative cases per 100k: 28,381 (16,021 total cases)
--- 6.6% more cases per 100k residents than West Virginia
- New cases per 100k in the past week: 802 (453 new cases, -29% change from previous week)
#41. Monroe County
--- 17.0% less deaths per 100k residents than West Virginia
--- #2,008 highest rate among all counties nationwide
- New deaths per 100k in the past week: 15.1 (2 new deaths, +100% change from previous week)
- Cumulative cases per 100k: 30,064 (3,991 total cases)
--- 13.0% more cases per 100k residents than West Virginia
- New cases per 100k in the past week: 927 (123 new cases, -39% change from previous week)
#40. Ritchie County
--- 12.8% less deaths per 100k residents than West Virginia
--- #1,905 highest rate among all counties nationwide
- New deaths per 100k in the past week: 10.5 (1 new deaths, 0% change from previous week)
- Cumulative cases per 100k: 23,948 (2,288 total cases)
--- 10.0% less cases per 100k residents than West Virginia
- New cases per 100k in the past week: 607 (58 new cases, -38% change from previous week)
#39. Boone County
--- 11.3% less deaths per 100k residents than West Virginia
--- #1,866 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: 29,585 (6,348 total cases)
--- 11.2% more cases per 100k residents than West Virginia
- New cases per 100k in the past week: 904 (194 new cases, -17% change from previous week)
#38. Pocahontas County
--- 9.8% less deaths per 100k residents than West Virginia
--- #1,813 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: 23,439 (1,933 total cases)
--- 11.9% less cases per 100k residents than West Virginia
- New cases per 100k in the past week: 982 (81 new cases, +7% change from previous week)
#37. Tyler County
--- 6.5% less deaths per 100k residents than West Virginia
--- #1,709 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: 24,561 (2,110 total cases)
--- 7.7% less cases per 100k residents than West Virginia
- New cases per 100k in the past week: 512 (44 new cases, -37% change from previous week)
#36. Lincoln County
--- 5.4% less deaths per 100k residents than West Virginia
--- #1,658 highest rate among all counties nationwide
- New deaths per 100k in the past week: 14.7 (3 new deaths, 0% change from previous week)
- Cumulative cases per 100k: 25,582 (5,221 total cases)
--- 3.9% less cases per 100k residents than West Virginia
- New cases per 100k in the past week: 902 (184 new cases, -30% change from previous week)
#35. Upshur County
--- 3.9% less deaths per 100k residents than West Virginia
--- #1,619 highest rate among all counties nationwide
- New deaths per 100k in the past week: 4.1 (1 new deaths, 0% change from previous week)
- Cumulative cases per 100k: 26,626 (6,437 total cases)
--- 0.0% more cases per 100k residents than West Virginia
- New cases per 100k in the past week: 1,018 (246 new cases, -23% change from previous week)
#34. Mason County
--- 3.6% less deaths per 100k residents than West Virginia
--- #1,612 highest rate among all counties nationwide
- New deaths per 100k in the past week: 15.1 (4 new deaths, -20% change from previous week)
- Cumulative cases per 100k: 23,740 (6,295 total cases)
--- 10.8% less cases per 100k residents than West Virginia
- New cases per 100k in the past week: 830 (220 new cases, -37% change from previous week)
#33. McDowell County
--- 1.2% more deaths per 100k residents than West Virginia
--- #1,475 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: 28,881 (5,090 total cases)
--- 8.5% more cases per 100k residents than West Virginia
- New cases per 100k in the past week: 1,407 (248 new cases, -13% change from previous week)
#32. Harrison County
--- 1.2% more deaths per 100k residents than West Virginia
--- #1,472 highest rate among all counties nationwide
- New deaths per 100k in the past week: 13.4 (9 new deaths, +80% change from previous week)
- Cumulative cases per 100k: 27,709 (18,636 total cases)
--- 4.1% more cases per 100k residents than West Virginia
- New cases per 100k in the past week: 757 (509 new cases, -38% change from previous week)

#31. Hardy County
--- 1.5% more deaths per 100k residents than West Virginia
--- #1,464 highest rate among all counties nationwide
- New deaths per 100k in the past week: 21.8 (3 new deaths, +200% change from previous week)
- Cumulative cases per 100k: 29,769 (4,101 total cases)
--- 11.9% more cases per 100k residents than West Virginia
- New cases per 100k in the past week: 370 (51 new cases, -53% change from previous week)
#30. Wirt County
--- 2.4% more deaths per 100k residents than West Virginia
--- #1,441 highest rate among all counties nationwide
- New deaths per 100k in the past week: 17.2 (1 new deaths, 0% change from previous week)
- Cumulative cases per 100k: 24,068 (1,401 total cases)
--- 9.6% less cases per 100k residents than West Virginia
- New cases per 100k in the past week: 550 (32 new cases, -6% change from previous week)
#29. Webster County
--- 2.7% more deaths per 100k residents than West Virginia
--- #1,430 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: 25,043 (2,032 total cases)
--- 5.9% less cases per 100k residents than West Virginia
- New cases per 100k in the past week: 789 (64 new cases, -21% change from previous week)
#28. Morgan County
--- 3.3% more deaths per 100k residents than West Virginia
--- #1,415 highest rate among all counties nationwide
- New deaths per 100k in the past week: 11.2 (2 new deaths, 0% change from previous week)
- Cumulative cases per 100k: 23,121 (4,135 total cases)
--- 13.1% less cases per 100k residents than West Virginia
- New cases per 100k in the past week: 296 (53 new cases, -43% change from previous week)
#27. Nicholas County
--- 4.5% more deaths per 100k residents than West Virginia
--- #1,379 highest rate among all counties nationwide
- New deaths per 100k in the past week: 16.3 (4 new deaths, +100% change from previous week)
- Cumulative cases per 100k: 28,013 (6,862 total cases)
--- 5.3% more cases per 100k residents than West Virginia
- New cases per 100k in the past week: 865 (212 new cases, -24% change from previous week)

#26. Ohio County
--- 5.7% more deaths per 100k residents than West Virginia
--- #1,340 highest rate among all counties nationwide
- New deaths per 100k in the past week: 2.4 (1 new deaths, 0% change from previous week)
- Cumulative cases per 100k: 26,046 (10,786 total cases)
--- 2.1% less cases per 100k residents than West Virginia
- New cases per 100k in the past week: 478 (198 new cases, -14% change from previous week)

#25. Kanawha County
--- 6.0% more deaths per 100k residents than West Virginia
--- #1,327 highest rate among all counties nationwide
- New deaths per 100k in the past week: 10.1 (18 new deaths, -14% change from previous week)
- Cumulative cases per 100k: 25,555 (45,519 total cases)
--- 4.0% less cases per 100k residents than West Virginia
- New cases per 100k in the past week: 692 (1,232 new cases, -37% change from previous week)

#24. Taylor County
--- 6.8% more deaths per 100k residents than West Virginia
--- #1,312 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: 25,037 (4,180 total cases)
--- 5.9% less cases per 100k residents than West Virginia
- New cases per 100k in the past week: 761 (127 new cases, -30% change from previous week)
#23. Summers County
--- 8.9% more deaths per 100k residents than West Virginia
--- #1,259 highest rate among all counties nationwide
- New deaths per 100k in the past week: 15.9 (2 new deaths, +100% change from previous week)
- Cumulative cases per 100k: 21,196 (2,665 total cases)
--- 20.4% less cases per 100k residents than West Virginia
- New cases per 100k in the past week: 756 (95 new cases, -42% change from previous week)

#22. Cabell County
--- 9.2% more deaths per 100k residents than West Virginia
--- #1,245 highest rate among all counties nationwide
- New deaths per 100k in the past week: 9.8 (9 new deaths, +125% change from previous week)
- Cumulative cases per 100k: 28,708 (26,396 total cases)
--- 7.9% more cases per 100k residents than West Virginia
- New cases per 100k in the past week: 603 (554 new cases, -47% change from previous week)
#21. Preston County
--- 9.5% more deaths per 100k residents than West Virginia
--- #1,237 highest rate among all counties nationwide
- New deaths per 100k in the past week: 12.0 (4 new deaths, +100% change from previous week)
- Cumulative cases per 100k: 26,202 (8,760 total cases)
--- 1.5% less cases per 100k residents than West Virginia
- New cases per 100k in the past week: 855 (286 new cases, +4% change from previous week)
#20. Greenbrier County
--- 11.6% more deaths per 100k residents than West Virginia
--- #1,189 highest rate among all counties nationwide
- New deaths per 100k in the past week: 5.8 (2 new deaths, -33% change from previous week)
- Cumulative cases per 100k: 25,769 (8,932 total cases)
--- 3.2% less cases per 100k residents than West Virginia
- New cases per 100k in the past week: 969 (336 new cases, -32% change from previous week)
#19. Wood County
--- 11.6% more deaths per 100k residents than West Virginia
--- #1,186 highest rate among all counties nationwide
- New deaths per 100k in the past week: 14.4 (12 new deaths, +200% change from previous week)
- Cumulative cases per 100k: 25,588 (21,371 total cases)
--- 3.9% less cases per 100k residents than West Virginia
- New cases per 100k in the past week: 560 (468 new cases, -16% change from previous week)
#18. Clay County
--- 11.9% more deaths per 100k residents than West Virginia
--- #1,183 highest rate among all counties nationwide
- New deaths per 100k in the past week: 11.8 (1 new deaths, 0% change from previous week)
- Cumulative cases per 100k: 26,387 (2,245 total cases)
--- 0.9% less cases per 100k residents than West Virginia
- New cases per 100k in the past week: 846 (72 new cases, -3% change from previous week)
#17. Raleigh County
--- 16.4% more deaths per 100k residents than West Virginia
--- #1,055 highest rate among all counties nationwide
- New deaths per 100k in the past week: 9.5 (7 new deaths, -42% change from previous week)
- Cumulative cases per 100k: 29,512 (21,650 total cases)
--- 10.9% more cases per 100k residents than West Virginia
- New cases per 100k in the past week: 883 (648 new cases, -39% change from previous week)
#16. Fayette County
--- 17.9% more deaths per 100k residents than West Virginia
--- #1,012 highest rate among all counties nationwide
- New deaths per 100k in the past week: 16.5 (7 new deaths, +133% change from previous week)
- Cumulative cases per 100k: 29,206 (12,385 total cases)
--- 9.7% more cases per 100k residents than West Virginia
- New cases per 100k in the past week: 941 (399 new cases, -48% change from previous week)
#15. Mercer County
--- 18.2% more deaths per 100k residents than West Virginia
--- #1,002 highest rate among all counties nationwide
- New deaths per 100k in the past week: 3.4 (2 new deaths, -50% change from previous week)
- Cumulative cases per 100k: 27,203 (15,984 total cases)
--- 2.2% more cases per 100k residents than West Virginia
- New cases per 100k in the past week: 938 (551 new cases, -33% change from previous week)
#14. Barbour County
--- 19.3% more deaths per 100k residents than West Virginia
--- #977 highest rate among all counties nationwide
- New deaths per 100k in the past week: 18.2 (3 new deaths, 0% change from previous week)
- Cumulative cases per 100k: 27,304 (4,489 total cases)
--- 2.6% more cases per 100k residents than West Virginia
- New cases per 100k in the past week: 809 (133 new cases, -23% change from previous week)
#13. Wyoming County
--- 27.1% more deaths per 100k residents than West Virginia
--- #805 highest rate among all counties nationwide
- New deaths per 100k in the past week: 9.8 (2 new deaths, 0% change from previous week)
- Cumulative cases per 100k: 32,328 (6,593 total cases)
--- 21.5% more cases per 100k residents than West Virginia
- New cases per 100k in the past week: 1,245 (254 new cases, -12% change from previous week)
#12. Jackson County
--- 27.1% more deaths per 100k residents than West Virginia
--- #803 highest rate among all counties nationwide
- New deaths per 100k in the past week: 17.5 (5 new deaths, +400% change from previous week)
- Cumulative cases per 100k: 23,184 (6,625 total cases)
--- 12.9% less cases per 100k residents than West Virginia
- New cases per 100k in the past week: 546 (156 new cases, -25% change from previous week)
#11. Brooke County
--- 31.5% more deaths per 100k residents than West Virginia
--- #719 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: 21,893 (4,803 total cases)
--- 17.7% less cases per 100k residents than West Virginia
- New cases per 100k in the past week: 328 (72 new cases, -10% change from previous week)
#10. Grant County
--- 33.9% more deaths per 100k residents than West Virginia
--- #662 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: 31,777 (3,676 total cases)
--- 19.4% more cases per 100k residents than West Virginia
- New cases per 100k in the past week: 657 (76 new cases, -28% change from previous week)
#9. Pleasants County
--- 35.7% more deaths per 100k residents than West Virginia
--- #614 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: 26,836 (2,002 total cases)
--- 0.8% more cases per 100k residents than West Virginia
- New cases per 100k in the past week: 322 (24 new cases, -25% change from previous week)
#8. Hancock County
--- 36.3% more deaths per 100k residents than West Virginia
--- #602 highest rate among all counties nationwide
- New deaths per 100k in the past week: 6.9 (2 new deaths, 0% change from previous week)
- Cumulative cases per 100k: 22,742 (6,552 total cases)
--- 14.5% less cases per 100k residents than West Virginia
- New cases per 100k in the past week: 344 (99 new cases, +3% change from previous week)
#7. Mingo County
--- 37.2% more deaths per 100k residents than West Virginia
--- #586 highest rate among all counties nationwide
- New deaths per 100k in the past week: 8.5 (2 new deaths, -33% change from previous week)
- Cumulative cases per 100k: 32,018 (7,500 total cases)
--- 20.3% more cases per 100k residents than West Virginia
- New cases per 100k in the past week: 1,319 (309 new cases, -13% change from previous week)
#6. Lewis County
--- 40.2% more deaths per 100k residents than West Virginia
--- #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: 31,269 (4,974 total cases)
--- 17.5% more cases per 100k residents than West Virginia
- New cases per 100k in the past week: 930 (148 new cases, -31% change from previous week)
#5. Marshall County
--- 42.3% more deaths per 100k residents than West Virginia
--- #500 highest rate among all counties nationwide
- New deaths per 100k in the past week: 9.8 (3 new deaths, 0% change from previous week)
- Cumulative cases per 100k: 27,765 (8,477 total cases)
--- 4.3% more cases per 100k residents than West Virginia
- New cases per 100k in the past week: 724 (221 new cases, -8% change from previous week)
#4. Tucker County
--- 43.8% more deaths per 100k residents than West Virginia
--- #484 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: 27,416 (1,875 total cases)
--- 3.0% more cases per 100k residents than West Virginia
- New cases per 100k in the past week: 716 (49 new cases, -45% change from previous week)
#3. Wetzel County
--- 46.1% more deaths per 100k residents than West Virginia
--- #448 highest rate among all counties nationwide
- New deaths per 100k in the past week: 19.9 (3 new deaths, 0% change from previous week)
- Cumulative cases per 100k: 27,434 (4,133 total cases)
--- 3.1% more cases per 100k residents than West Virginia
- New cases per 100k in the past week: 644 (97 new cases, -32% change from previous week)
#2. Logan County
--- 51.5% more deaths per 100k residents than West Virginia
--- #391 highest rate among all counties nationwide
- New deaths per 100k in the past week: 3.1 (1 new deaths, -50% change from previous week)
- Cumulative cases per 100k: 28,670 (9,180 total cases)
--- 7.7% more cases per 100k residents than West Virginia
- New cases per 100k in the past week: 899 (288 new cases, -29% change from previous week)
#1. Mineral County
--- 65.2% more deaths per 100k residents than West Virginia
--- #235 highest rate among all counties nationwide
- New deaths per 100k in the past week: 3.7 (1 new deaths, -67% change from previous week)
- Cumulative cases per 100k: 28,357 (7,619 total cases)
--- 6.5% more cases per 100k residents than West Virginia
- New cases per 100k in the past week: 636 (171 new cases, -20% change from previous week)