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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 March 16 reached 967,175 COVID-19-related deaths and 79.6 million COVID-19 cases, according to Johns Hopkins University. Currently, 65.3% of the population is fully vaccinated, and 44.4% 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 and vaccination data from Covid Act Now. Counties are ranked by the highest infection rate per 100,000 residents within the week leading up to March 15, 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. Escambia County, AL

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 22 (8 new cases, -43% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 27,224 (9,973 total cases)
— 3.5% more cases per 100k residents than Alabama
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 450 (165 total deaths)
— 16.6% more deaths per 100k residents than Alabama
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 36.2% (13,254 fully vaccinated)

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#49. Sumter County, AL

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 24 (3 new cases, -77% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 20,632 (2,564 total cases)
— 21.6% less cases per 100k residents than Alabama
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 394 (49 total deaths)
— 2.1% more deaths per 100k residents than Alabama
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 50.7% (6,305 fully vaccinated)

Michael Rivera // Wikimedia Commons

#48. Dale County, AL

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 24 (12 new cases, +33% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 25,309 (12,445 total cases)
— 3.8% less cases per 100k residents than Alabama
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 458 (225 total deaths)
— 18.7% more deaths per 100k residents than Alabama
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 47.5% (23,336 fully vaccinated)

Rudi Weikard // Wikimedia Commons

#47. St. Clair County, AL

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 25 (22 new cases, -90% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 28,134 (25,183 total cases)
— 7.0% more cases per 100k residents than Alabama
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 456 (408 total deaths)
— 18.1% more deaths per 100k residents than Alabama
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 38.8% (34,746 fully vaccinated)

Jodybwiki // Wikimedia Commons

#46. Baldwin County, AL

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 26 (57 new cases, -63% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 24,722 (55,189 total cases)
— 6.0% less cases per 100k residents than Alabama
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 298 (666 total deaths)
— 22.8% less deaths per 100k residents than Alabama
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 50.3% (112,345 fully vaccinated)

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#45. Bibb County, AL

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 27 (6 new cases, -70% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 28,584 (6,401 total cases)
— 8.7% more cases per 100k residents than Alabama
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 447 (100 total deaths)
— 15.8% more deaths per 100k residents than Alabama
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 34.5% (7,735 fully vaccinated)

Mccallk69 // Shutterstock

#44. Macon County, AL

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 28 (5 new cases, -17% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 21,259 (3,841 total cases)
— 19.2% less cases per 100k residents than Alabama
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 448 (81 total deaths)
— 16.1% more deaths per 100k residents than Alabama
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 47.4% (8,569 fully vaccinated)

Altairisfar // Wikicommons

#43. Mobile County, AL

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 28 (114 new cases, -84% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 27,330 (112,931 total cases)
— 3.9% more cases per 100k residents than Alabama
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 389 (1,606 total deaths)
— 0.8% more deaths per 100k residents than Alabama
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 49.2% (203,295 fully vaccinated)

Rivers A. Langley; SaveRivers // Wikimedia Commons

#42. Elmore County, AL

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 28 (23 new cases, -49% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 28,236 (22,930 total cases)
— 7.3% more cases per 100k residents than Alabama
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 414 (336 total deaths)
— 7.3% more deaths per 100k residents than Alabama
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 45.9% (37,278 fully vaccinated)

Chris Pruitt // Wikimedia Commons

#41. Butler County, AL

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 31 (6 new cases, +200% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 25,931 (5,043 total cases)
— 1.4% less cases per 100k residents than Alabama
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 643 (125 total deaths)
— 66.6% more deaths per 100k residents than Alabama
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 39.2% (7,617 fully vaccinated)

DXR // Wikimedia Commons

#40. Dallas County, AL

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 32 (12 new cases, -67% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 22,446 (8,349 total cases)
— 14.7% less cases per 100k residents than Alabama
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 634 (236 total deaths)
— 64.2% more deaths per 100k residents than Alabama
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 44.9% (16,704 fully vaccinated)

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#39. Marengo County, AL

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 32 (6 new cases, +100% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 27,350 (5,159 total cases)
— 4.0% more cases per 100k residents than Alabama
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 551 (104 total deaths)
— 42.7% more deaths per 100k residents than Alabama
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 54.1% (10,207 fully vaccinated)

Chris Pruitt // wikicommons

#38. Montgomery County, AL

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 34 (77 new cases, -39% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 24,089 (54,559 total cases)
— 8.4% less cases per 100k residents than Alabama
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 399 (904 total deaths)
— 3.4% more deaths per 100k residents than Alabama
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 51.6% (116,804 fully vaccinated)

M Floyd // Flickr

#37. Jefferson County, AL

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 34 (223 new cases, -87% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 27,914 (183,834 total cases)
— 6.1% more cases per 100k residents than Alabama
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 345 (2,271 total deaths)
— 10.6% less deaths per 100k residents than Alabama
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 57.5% (378,602 fully vaccinated)

Carol M. Highsmith // Wikimedia Commons

#36. Hale County, AL

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 34 (5 new cases, 0% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 31,895 (4,673 total cases)
— 21.3% more cases per 100k residents than Alabama
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 696 (102 total deaths)
— 80.3% more deaths per 100k residents than Alabama
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 61.0% (8,933 fully vaccinated)

Wayne James // Shutterstock

#35. Lauderdale County, AL

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 38 (35 new cases, -38% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 25,883 (24,001 total cases)
— 1.6% less cases per 100k residents than Alabama
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 408 (378 total deaths)
— 5.7% more deaths per 100k residents than Alabama
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 46.2% (42,854 fully vaccinated)

RuralSWAlabama (Billy Milstead) // Wikimedia Commons

#34. Choctaw County, AL

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 40 (5 new cases, -75% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 16,221 (2,042 total cases)
— 38.3% less cases per 100k residents than Alabama
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 286 (36 total deaths)
— 25.9% less deaths per 100k residents than Alabama
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 65.6% (8,257 fully vaccinated)

Rivers Langley; SaveRivers // Wikimedia Commons

#33. Cleburne County, AL

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 40 (6 new cases, -65% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 23,830 (3,553 total cases)
— 9.4% less cases per 100k residents than Alabama
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 456 (68 total deaths)
— 18.1% more deaths per 100k residents than Alabama
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 28.5% (4,250 fully vaccinated)

Rivers Langley; SaveRivers // Wikimedia Commons

#32. Barbour County, AL

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 41 (10 new cases, +67% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 22,122 (5,461 total cases)
— 15.9% less cases per 100k residents than Alabama
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 381 (94 total deaths)
— 1.3% less deaths per 100k residents than Alabama
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 44.9% (11,074 fully vaccinated)

Chris Pruitt // Wikimedia Commons

#31. Cullman County, AL

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 43 (36 new cases, -63% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 29,216 (24,474 total cases)
— 11.1% more cases per 100k residents than Alabama
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 426 (357 total deaths)
— 10.4% more deaths per 100k residents than Alabama
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 38.0% (31,831 fully vaccinated)

Rivers Langley; SaveRivers // Wikimedia Commons

#30. Shelby County, AL

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 44 (95 new cases, -92% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 27,594 (60,073 total cases)
— 4.9% more cases per 100k residents than Alabama
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 198 (432 total deaths)
— 48.7% less deaths per 100k residents than Alabama
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 35.9% (78,257 fully vaccinated)

Rudi Weikard // Wikimedia Commons

#29. Blount County, AL

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 45 (26 new cases, -70% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 25,722 (14,874 total cases)
— 2.2% less cases per 100k residents than Alabama
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 393 (227 total deaths)
— 1.8% more deaths per 100k residents than Alabama
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 31.4% (18,167 fully vaccinated)

JNix // Shutterstock

#28. Clay County, AL

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 45 (6 new cases, -54% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 30,858 (4,084 total cases)
— 17.3% more cases per 100k residents than Alabama
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 604 (80 total deaths)
— 56.5% more deaths per 100k residents than Alabama
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 41.4% (5,481 fully vaccinated)

Rudi Weikard // Wikimedia Commons

#27. Cherokee County, AL

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 46 (12 new cases, -37% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 19,488 (5,105 total cases)
— 25.9% less cases per 100k residents than Alabama
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 309 (81 total deaths)
— 19.9% less deaths per 100k residents than Alabama
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 30.4% (7,969 fully vaccinated)

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#26. Lawrence County, AL

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 46 (15 new cases, -62% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 23,132 (7,616 total cases)
— 12.1% less cases per 100k residents than Alabama
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 465 (153 total deaths)
— 20.5% more deaths per 100k residents than Alabama
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 46.9% (15,435 fully vaccinated)

Prestinian // Wikimedia Commons

#25. Etowah County, AL

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 47 (48 new cases, +23% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 28,120 (28,758 total cases)
— 6.9% more cases per 100k residents than Alabama
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 613 (627 total deaths)
— 58.8% more deaths per 100k residents than Alabama
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 40.7% (41,665 fully vaccinated)

Rivers A. Langley; SaveRivers // Wikimedia Commons

#24. Randolph County, AL

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 48 (11 new cases, +22% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 22,269 (5,060 total cases)
— 15.3% less cases per 100k residents than Alabama
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 326 (74 total deaths)
— 15.5% less deaths per 100k residents than Alabama
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 32.6% (7,401 fully vaccinated)

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#23. Wilcox County, AL

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 48 (5 new cases, -44% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 27,658 (2,869 total cases)
— 5.1% more cases per 100k residents than Alabama
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 424 (44 total deaths)
— 9.8% more deaths per 100k residents than Alabama
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 53.4% (5,541 fully vaccinated)

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#22. Greene County, AL

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 49 (4 new cases, 0% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 22,932 (1,860 total cases)
— 12.8% less cases per 100k residents than Alabama
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 592 (48 total deaths)
— 53.4% more deaths per 100k residents than Alabama
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 50.5% (4,092 fully vaccinated)

Rudi Weikard // Wikimedia Commons

#21. Franklin County, AL

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 51 (16 new cases, -30% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 31,372 (9,839 total cases)
— 19.3% more cases per 100k residents than Alabama
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 437 (137 total deaths)
— 13.2% more deaths per 100k residents than Alabama
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 43.3% (13,582 fully vaccinated)

MPearsallArt // Wikimedia Commons

#20. Morgan County, AL

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 53 (63 new cases, +9% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 30,034 (35,944 total cases)
— 14.2% more cases per 100k residents than Alabama
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 414 (496 total deaths)
— 7.3% more deaths per 100k residents than Alabama
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 43.3% (51,861 fully vaccinated)

Chris Pruitt // Wikimedia Commons

#19. Autauga County, AL

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 54 (30 new cases, +3% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 27,867 (15,569 total cases)
— 5.9% more cases per 100k residents than Alabama
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 374 (209 total deaths)
— 3.1% less deaths per 100k residents than Alabama
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 43.7% (24,412 fully vaccinated)

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#18. Winston County, AL

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 59 (14 new cases, -48% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 32,033 (7,569 total cases)
— 21.8% more cases per 100k residents than Alabama
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 521 (123 total deaths)
— 35.0% more deaths per 100k residents than Alabama
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 21.8% (5,160 fully vaccinated)

Springfieldohio // Wikimedia Commons

#17. Jackson County, AL

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 60 (31 new cases, -56% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 29,051 (14,998 total cases)
— 10.4% more cases per 100k residents than Alabama
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 447 (231 total deaths)
— 15.8% more deaths per 100k residents than Alabama
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 48.9% (25,246 fully vaccinated)

Rivers Langley; SaveRivers // Wikimedia Commons

#16. Talladega County, AL

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 68 (54 new cases, -68% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 27,805 (22,238 total cases)
— 5.7% more cases per 100k residents than Alabama
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 455 (364 total deaths)
— 17.9% more deaths per 100k residents than Alabama
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 36.3% (29,048 fully vaccinated)

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#15. Madison County, AL

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 75 (281 new cases, 0% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 23,808 (88,782 total cases)
— 9.5% less cases per 100k residents than Alabama
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 247 (922 total deaths)
— 36.0% less deaths per 100k residents than Alabama
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 61.2% (228,275 fully vaccinated)

Carol M. Highsmith // Wikimedia Commons

#14. Limestone County, AL

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 76 (75 new cases, +3% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 25,072 (24,800 total cases)
— 4.7% less cases per 100k residents than Alabama
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 283 (280 total deaths)
— 26.7% less deaths per 100k residents than Alabama
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 38.7% (38,297 fully vaccinated)

Rivers A. Langley; SaveRivers // Wikimedia Commons

#13. Tallapoosa County, AL

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 82 (33 new cases, +57% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 28,117 (11,350 total cases)
— 6.9% more cases per 100k residents than Alabama
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 565 (228 total deaths)
— 46.4% more deaths per 100k residents than Alabama
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 38.3% (15,446 fully vaccinated)

Dailynetworks // Wikimedia Commons

#12. Colbert County, AL

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 89 (49 new cases, 0% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 29,391 (16,236 total cases)
— 11.7% more cases per 100k residents than Alabama
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 447 (247 total deaths)
— 15.8% more deaths per 100k residents than Alabama
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 47.7% (26,361 fully vaccinated)

Altairisfar // Wikimedia Commons

#11. Clarke County, AL

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 89 (21 new cases, +11% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 29,959 (7,077 total cases)
— 13.9% more cases per 100k residents than Alabama
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 415 (98 total deaths)
— 7.5% more deaths per 100k residents than Alabama
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 50.8% (12,001 fully vaccinated)

Rivers A. Langley; SaveRivers // Wikimedia Commons

#10. Coosa County, AL

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 103 (11 new cases, +10% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 27,516 (2,934 total cases)
— 4.6% more cases per 100k residents than Alabama
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 525 (56 total deaths)
— 36.0% more deaths per 100k residents than Alabama
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 40.3% (4,299 fully vaccinated)

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#9. Marshall County, AL

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 136 (132 new cases, +267% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 28,179 (27,270 total cases)
— 7.1% more cases per 100k residents than Alabama
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 390 (377 total deaths)
— 1.0% more deaths per 100k residents than Alabama
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 45.3% (43,830 fully vaccinated)

Rudi Weikard // Wikimedia Commons

#8. Marion County, AL

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 138 (41 new cases, -28% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 27,147 (8,065 total cases)
— 3.2% more cases per 100k residents than Alabama
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 502 (149 total deaths)
— 30.1% more deaths per 100k residents than Alabama
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 36.2% (10,752 fully vaccinated)

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#7. DeKalb County, AL

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 162 (116 new cases, +183% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 26,166 (18,712 total cases)
— 0.5% less cases per 100k residents than Alabama
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 449 (321 total deaths)
— 16.3% more deaths per 100k residents than Alabama
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 33.6% (24,002 fully vaccinated)

Myself – Nathon Morris // Wikimedia Commons

#6. Lamar County, AL

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 181 (25 new cases, -31% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 26,838 (3,705 total cases)
— 2.0% more cases per 100k residents than Alabama
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 449 (62 total deaths)
— 16.3% more deaths per 100k residents than Alabama
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 43.6% (6,025 fully vaccinated)

Tracy Burroughs Brown // Shutterstock

#5. Tuscaloosa County, AL

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 192 (402 new cases, -6% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 26,481 (55,440 total cases)
— 0.7% more cases per 100k residents than Alabama
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 358 (749 total deaths)
— 7.3% less deaths per 100k residents than Alabama
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 43.3% (90,745 fully vaccinated)

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#4. Fayette County, AL

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 196 (32 new cases, -14% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 30,475 (4,968 total cases)
— 15.9% more cases per 100k residents than Alabama
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 570 (93 total deaths)
— 47.7% more deaths per 100k residents than Alabama
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 34.7% (5,663 fully vaccinated)

Rivers Langley; SaveRivers // Wikimedia Commons

#3. Calhoun County, AL

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 238 (270 new cases, -30% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 28,426 (32,293 total cases)
— 8.1% more cases per 100k residents than Alabama
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 531 (603 total deaths)
— 37.6% more deaths per 100k residents than Alabama
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 46.5% (52,813 fully vaccinated)

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#2. Pickens County, AL

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 246 (49 new cases, +40% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 26,267 (5,235 total cases)
— 0.1% less cases per 100k residents than Alabama
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 497 (99 total deaths)
— 28.8% more deaths per 100k residents than Alabama
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 49.0% (9,756 fully vaccinated)

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#1. Chilton County, AL

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 263 (117 new cases, +10% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 24,347 (10,817 total cases)
— 7.4% less cases per 100k residents than Alabama
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 446 (198 total deaths)
— 15.5% more deaths per 100k residents than Alabama
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 36.1% (16,031 fully vaccinated)