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Counties with highest COVID-19 infection rates in Alabama

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. 4 reached 828,344 COVID-19-related deaths and nearly 56.5 million COVID-19 cases, according to Johns Hopkins University. Currently, 62% of the population is fully vaccinated, and 33.4% have received booster doses.

Stacker compiled a list of the counties with highest COVID-19 infection rates in Alabama using data from the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services. Counties are ranked by the highest infection rate per 100,000 residents within the week leading up to Jan. 3, 2021. Cumulative cases per 100,000 served as a tiebreaker.

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

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#50. Winston County, AL

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 453 (107 new cases, +346% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 21,088 (4,983 total cases)
— 13.2% more cases per 100k residents than Alabama
– Deaths per 100k in the past week: 0 (0 new deaths, 0% change from previous week)
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 470 (111 total deaths)
— 39.9% more deaths per 100k residents than Alabama

Rivers Langley; SaveRivers // Wikimedia Commons

#49. Cleburne County, AL

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 463 (69 new cases, +245% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 17,860 (2,663 total cases)
— 4.1% less cases per 100k residents than Alabama
– Deaths per 100k in the past week: 0 (0 new deaths, 0% change from previous week)
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 402 (60 total deaths)
— 19.6% more deaths per 100k residents than Alabama

Prestinian // Wikimedia Commons

#48. Etowah County, AL

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 468 (479 new cases, +286% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 20,366 (20,828 total cases)
— 9.3% more cases per 100k residents than Alabama
– Deaths per 100k in the past week: 0 (0 new deaths, -100% change from previous week)
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 515 (527 total deaths)
— 53.3% more deaths per 100k residents than Alabama

Rudi Weikard // Wikimedia Commons

#47. Blount County, AL

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 474 (274 new cases, +161% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 19,607 (11,338 total cases)
— 5.2% more cases per 100k residents than Alabama
– Deaths per 100k in the past week: 2 (1 new deaths, -50% change from previous week)
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 342 (198 total deaths)
— 1.8% more deaths per 100k residents than Alabama

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#46. Pickens County, AL

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 477 (95 new cases, +494% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 17,521 (3,492 total cases)
— 6.0% less cases per 100k residents than Alabama
– Deaths per 100k in the past week: 0 (0 new deaths, 0% change from previous week)
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 457 (91 total deaths)
— 36.0% more deaths per 100k residents than Alabama

RuralSWAlabama (Billy Milstead) // Wikimedia Commons

#45. Choctaw County, AL

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 485 (61 new cases, +510% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 8,182 (1,030 total cases)
— 56.1% less cases per 100k residents than Alabama
– Deaths per 100k in the past week: 0 (0 new deaths, 0% change from previous week)
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 238 (30 total deaths)
— 29.2% less deaths per 100k residents than Alabama

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#44. Chilton County, AL

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 491 (218 new cases, +252% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 16,872 (7,496 total cases)
— 9.5% less cases per 100k residents than Alabama
– Deaths per 100k in the past week: 0 (0 new deaths, -100% change from previous week)
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 389 (173 total deaths)
— 15.8% more deaths per 100k residents than Alabama

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#43. Lawrence County, AL

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 519 (171 new cases, +272% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 15,581 (5,130 total cases)
— 16.4% less cases per 100k residents than Alabama
– Deaths per 100k in the past week: 3 (1 new deaths, -50% change from previous week)
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 413 (136 total deaths)
— 22.9% more deaths per 100k residents than Alabama

Carol M. Highsmith/Library of Congress // Wikimedia Commons

#42. Houston County, AL

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 522 (553 new cases, +295% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 17,668 (18,707 total cases)
— 5.2% less cases per 100k residents than Alabama
– Deaths per 100k in the past week: 2 (2 new deaths, +100% change from previous week)
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 408 (432 total deaths)
— 21.4% more deaths per 100k residents than Alabama

Calvin Beale // Wikimedia Commons

#41. Coffee County, AL

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 537 (281 new cases, +231% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 18,872 (9,878 total cases)
— 1.3% more cases per 100k residents than Alabama
– Deaths per 100k in the past week: 0 (0 new deaths, -100% change from previous week)
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 373 (195 total deaths)
— 11.0% more deaths per 100k residents than Alabama

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#40. Sumter County, AL

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 539 (67 new cases, +1,017% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 11,950 (1,485 total cases)
— 35.9% less cases per 100k residents than Alabama
– Deaths per 100k in the past week: 0 (0 new deaths, 0% change from previous week)
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 338 (42 total deaths)
— 0.6% more deaths per 100k residents than Alabama

Michael Rivera // Wikimedia Commons

#39. Dale County, AL

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 547 (269 new cases, +216% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 19,294 (9,487 total cases)
— 3.5% more cases per 100k residents than Alabama
– Deaths per 100k in the past week: 0 (0 new deaths, -100% change from previous week)
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 395 (194 total deaths)
— 17.6% more deaths per 100k residents than Alabama

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#38. Perry County, AL

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 572 (51 new cases, +1,175% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 16,575 (1,479 total cases)
— 11.0% less cases per 100k residents than Alabama
– Deaths per 100k in the past week: 0 (0 new deaths, 0% change from previous week)
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 459 (41 total deaths)
— 36.6% more deaths per 100k residents than Alabama

Chris Pruitt // Wikimedia Commons

#37. Cullman County, AL

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 574 (481 new cases, +157% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 20,455 (17,135 total cases)
— 9.8% more cases per 100k residents than Alabama
– Deaths per 100k in the past week: 2 (2 new deaths, +100% change from previous week)
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 370 (310 total deaths)
— 10.1% more deaths per 100k residents than Alabama

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#36. Wilcox County, AL

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 588 (61 new cases, +369% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 18,037 (1,871 total cases)
— 3.2% less cases per 100k residents than Alabama
– Deaths per 100k in the past week: 0 (0 new deaths, 0% change from previous week)
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 366 (38 total deaths)
— 8.9% more deaths per 100k residents than Alabama

Rivers A. Langley; SaveRivers // Wikimedia Commons

#35. Elmore County, AL

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 607 (493 new cases, +124% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 20,809 (16,899 total cases)
— 11.7% more cases per 100k residents than Alabama
– Deaths per 100k in the past week: 0 (0 new deaths, -100% change from previous week)
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 366 (297 total deaths)
— 8.9% more deaths per 100k residents than Alabama

Rivers Langley; SaveRivers // Wikimedia Commons

#34. Calhoun County, AL

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 612 (695 new cases, +431% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 20,799 (23,629 total cases)
— 11.6% more cases per 100k residents than Alabama
– Deaths per 100k in the past week: 2 (2 new deaths, -60% change from previous week)
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 468 (532 total deaths)
— 39.3% more deaths per 100k residents than Alabama

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#33. Lee County, AL

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 621 (1,021 new cases, +170% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 16,605 (27,323 total cases)
— 10.9% less cases per 100k residents than Alabama
– Deaths per 100k in the past week: 0 (0 new deaths, -100% change from previous week)
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 163 (269 total deaths)
— 51.5% less deaths per 100k residents than Alabama

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#32. Lauderdale County, AL

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 628 (582 new cases, +251% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 17,291 (16,034 total cases)
— 7.2% less cases per 100k residents than Alabama
– Deaths per 100k in the past week: 1 (1 new deaths, -80% change from previous week)
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 343 (318 total deaths)
— 2.1% more deaths per 100k residents than Alabama

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#31. Tuscaloosa County, AL

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 629 (1,317 new cases, +303% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 18,240 (38,186 total cases)
— 2.1% less cases per 100k residents than Alabama
– Deaths per 100k in the past week: 1 (3 new deaths, 0% change from previous week)
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 313 (655 total deaths)
— 6.8% less deaths per 100k residents than Alabama

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#30. Greene County, AL

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 641 (52 new cases, +247% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 17,014 (1,380 total cases)
— 8.7% less cases per 100k residents than Alabama
– Deaths per 100k in the past week: 0 (0 new deaths, 0% change from previous week)
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 555 (45 total deaths)
— 65.2% more deaths per 100k residents than Alabama

Rivers A. Langley; SaveRivers // Wikimedia Commons

#29. Coosa County, AL

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 647 (69 new cases, +431% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 18,484 (1,971 total cases)
— 0.8% less cases per 100k residents than Alabama
– Deaths per 100k in the past week: 0 (0 new deaths, 0% change from previous week)
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 450 (48 total deaths)
— 33.9% more deaths per 100k residents than Alabama

Jodybwiki // Wikimedia Commons

#28. Baldwin County, AL

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 680 (1,518 new cases, +308% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 18,096 (40,396 total cases)
— 2.9% less cases per 100k residents than Alabama
– Deaths per 100k in the past week: 0 (0 new deaths, -100% change from previous week)
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 266 (593 total deaths)
— 20.8% less deaths per 100k residents than Alabama

Carol M. Highsmith // Wikimedia Commons

#27. Limestone County, AL

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 682 (675 new cases, +211% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 17,499 (17,309 total cases)
— 6.1% less cases per 100k residents than Alabama
– Deaths per 100k in the past week: 1 (1 new deaths, -50% change from previous week)
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 232 (229 total deaths)
— 31.0% less deaths per 100k residents than Alabama

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#26. Colbert County, AL

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 682 (377 new cases, +231% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 18,023 (9,956 total cases)
— 3.3% less cases per 100k residents than Alabama
– Deaths per 100k in the past week: 0 (0 new deaths, -100% change from previous week)
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 387 (214 total deaths)
— 15.2% more deaths per 100k residents than Alabama

DXR // Wikimedia Commons

#25. Dallas County, AL

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 683 (254 new cases, +535% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 15,192 (5,651 total cases)
— 18.5% less cases per 100k residents than Alabama
– Deaths per 100k in the past week: 0 (0 new deaths, 0% change from previous week)
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 570 (212 total deaths)
— 69.6% more deaths per 100k residents than Alabama

Kreeder13 // Wikimedia Commons

#24. Pike County, AL

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 689 (228 new cases, +217% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 16,585 (5,492 total cases)
— 11.0% less cases per 100k residents than Alabama
– Deaths per 100k in the past week: 0 (0 new deaths, 0% change from previous week)
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 335 (111 total deaths)
— 0.3% less deaths per 100k residents than Alabama

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#23. Bibb County, AL

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 697 (156 new cases, +578% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 20,434 (4,576 total cases)
— 9.7% more cases per 100k residents than Alabama
– Deaths per 100k in the past week: 0 (0 new deaths, 0% change from previous week)
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 424 (95 total deaths)
— 26.2% more deaths per 100k residents than Alabama

Chris Pruitt // Wikimedia Commons

#22. Autauga County, AL

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 707 (395 new cases, +229% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 20,018 (11,184 total cases)
— 7.4% more cases per 100k residents than Alabama
– Deaths per 100k in the past week: 0 (0 new deaths, -100% change from previous week)
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 286 (160 total deaths)
— 14.9% less deaths per 100k residents than Alabama

Rudi Weikard // Wikimedia Commons

#21. St. Clair County, AL

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 717 (642 new cases, +223% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 20,157 (18,043 total cases)
— 8.2% more cases per 100k residents than Alabama
– Deaths per 100k in the past week: 0 (0 new deaths, -100% change from previous week)
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 408 (365 total deaths)
— 21.4% more deaths per 100k residents than Alabama

Chris Pruitt // Wikimedia Commons

#20. Butler County, AL

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 720 (140 new cases, +509% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 18,789 (3,654 total cases)
— 0.8% more cases per 100k residents than Alabama
– Deaths per 100k in the past week: 0 (0 new deaths, 0% change from previous week)
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 524 (102 total deaths)
— 56.0% more deaths per 100k residents than Alabama

Mccallk69 // Shutterstock

#19. Macon County, AL

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 725 (131 new cases, +404% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 14,683 (2,653 total cases)
— 21.2% less cases per 100k residents than Alabama
– Deaths per 100k in the past week: 6 (1 new deaths, 0% change from previous week)
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 382 (69 total deaths)
— 13.7% more deaths per 100k residents than Alabama

Carol M. Highsmith // Wikimedia Commons

#18. Hale County, AL

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 730 (107 new cases, +494% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 22,899 (3,355 total cases)
— 22.9% more cases per 100k residents than Alabama
– Deaths per 100k in the past week: 0 (0 new deaths, -100% change from previous week)
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 621 (91 total deaths)
— 84.8% more deaths per 100k residents than Alabama

MPearsallArt // Wikimedia Commons

#17. Morgan County, AL

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 760 (909 new cases, +217% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 20,128 (24,089 total cases)
— 8.0% more cases per 100k residents than Alabama
– Deaths per 100k in the past week: 1 (1 new deaths, -80% change from previous week)
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 355 (425 total deaths)
— 5.7% more deaths per 100k residents than Alabama

Rivers Langley; SaveRivers // Wikimedia Commons

#16. Talladega County, AL

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 763 (610 new cases, +345% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 18,983 (15,182 total cases)
— 1.9% more cases per 100k residents than Alabama
– Deaths per 100k in the past week: 0 (0 new deaths, -100% change from previous week)
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 384 (307 total deaths)
— 14.3% more deaths per 100k residents than Alabama

Rivers Langley; SaveRivers // Wikimedia Commons

#15. Barbour County, AL

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 770 (190 new cases, +900% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 15,928 (3,932 total cases)
— 14.5% less cases per 100k residents than Alabama
– Deaths per 100k in the past week: 0 (0 new deaths, 0% change from previous week)
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 328 (81 total deaths)
— 2.4% less deaths per 100k residents than Alabama

Rivers A. Langley; SaveRivers // Wikimedia Commons

#14. Tallapoosa County, AL

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 845 (341 new cases, +441% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 19,392 (7,828 total cases)
— 4.1% more cases per 100k residents than Alabama
– Deaths per 100k in the past week: 0 (0 new deaths, 0% change from previous week)
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 505 (204 total deaths)
— 50.3% more deaths per 100k residents than Alabama

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#13. Clay County, AL

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 846 (112 new cases, +489% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 20,302 (2,687 total cases)
— 9.0% more cases per 100k residents than Alabama
– Deaths per 100k in the past week: 0 (0 new deaths, 0% change from previous week)
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 521 (69 total deaths)
— 55.1% more deaths per 100k residents than Alabama

Carol M. Highsmith // Wikimedia Commons

#12. Monroe County, AL

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 849 (176 new cases, +433% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 17,388 (3,605 total cases)
— 6.7% less cases per 100k residents than Alabama
– Deaths per 100k in the past week: 0 (0 new deaths, 0% change from previous week)
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 318 (66 total deaths)
— 5.4% less deaths per 100k residents than Alabama

Rivers Langley; SaveRivers // Wikimedia Commons

#11. Crenshaw County, AL

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 908 (125 new cases, +1,150% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 20,171 (2,778 total cases)
— 8.3% more cases per 100k residents than Alabama
– Deaths per 100k in the past week: 0 (0 new deaths, 0% change from previous week)
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 574 (79 total deaths)
— 70.8% more deaths per 100k residents than Alabama

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#10. Escambia County, AL

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 925 (339 new cases, +959% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 20,110 (7,367 total cases)
— 7.9% more cases per 100k residents than Alabama
– Deaths per 100k in the past week: 0 (0 new deaths, 0% change from previous week)
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 404 (148 total deaths)
— 20.2% more deaths per 100k residents than Alabama

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#9. Madison County, AL

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 933 (3,479 new cases, +222% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 15,820 (58,995 total cases)
— 15.1% less cases per 100k residents than Alabama
– Deaths per 100k in the past week: 1 (5 new deaths, 0% change from previous week)
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 205 (765 total deaths)
— 39.0% less deaths per 100k residents than Alabama

Altairisfar // Wikimedia Commons

#8. Lowndes County, AL

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 966 (94 new cases, +395% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 19,566 (1,903 total cases)
— 5.0% more cases per 100k residents than Alabama
– Deaths per 100k in the past week: 0 (0 new deaths, 0% change from previous week)
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 699 (68 total deaths)
— 108.0% more deaths per 100k residents than Alabama

Rivers Langley; SaveRivers // Wikimedia Commons

#7. Chambers County, AL

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 974 (324 new cases, +260% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 18,879 (6,278 total cases)
— 1.3% more cases per 100k residents than Alabama
– Deaths per 100k in the past week: 0 (0 new deaths, -100% change from previous week)
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 442 (147 total deaths)
— 31.5% more deaths per 100k residents than Alabama

Rivers A. Langley; SaveRivers // Wikimedia Commons

#6. Randolph County, AL

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 995 (226 new cases, +296% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 16,306 (3,705 total cases)
— 12.5% less cases per 100k residents than Alabama
– Deaths per 100k in the past week: 0 (0 new deaths, 0% change from previous week)
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 295 (67 total deaths)
— 12.2% less deaths per 100k residents than Alabama

Rivers Langley; SaveRivers // Wikimedia Commons

#5. Shelby County, AL

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 1,047 (2,280 new cases, +207% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 19,267 (41,944 total cases)
— 3.4% more cases per 100k residents than Alabama
– Deaths per 100k in the past week: 1 (2 new deaths, +100% change from previous week)
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 175 (381 total deaths)
— 47.9% less deaths per 100k residents than Alabama

Altairisfar // Wikicommons

#4. Mobile County, AL

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 1,172 (4,844 new cases, +495% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 19,495 (80,557 total cases)
— 4.6% more cases per 100k residents than Alabama
– Deaths per 100k in the past week: 1 (2 new deaths, 0% change from previous week)
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 337 (1,394 total deaths)
— 0.3% more deaths per 100k residents than Alabama

Chris Pruitt // wikicommons

#3. Montgomery County, AL

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 1,302 (2,949 new cases, +260% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 17,105 (38,740 total cases)
— 8.2% less cases per 100k residents than Alabama
– Deaths per 100k in the past week: 2 (5 new deaths, +150% change from previous week)
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 351 (796 total deaths)
— 4.5% more deaths per 100k residents than Alabama

M Floyd // Flickr

#2. Jefferson County, AL

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 1,385 (9,122 new cases, +249% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 19,628 (129,265 total cases)
— 5.3% more cases per 100k residents than Alabama
– Deaths per 100k in the past week: 0 (0 new deaths, -100% change from previous week)
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 307 (2,024 total deaths)
— 8.6% less deaths per 100k residents than Alabama

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#1. Bullock County, AL

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 1,416 (143 new cases, +853% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 16,830 (1,700 total cases)
— 9.7% less cases per 100k residents than Alabama
– Deaths per 100k in the past week: 0 (0 new deaths, 0% change from previous week)
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 455 (46 total deaths)
— 35.4% more deaths per 100k residents than Alabama