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Most metrics that measure the coronavirus in Kentucky dropped last week, for the second week in a row, with new cases dropping below 10,000 for the first time since the reporting week starting June 27. Even so, The New York Times ranks Kentucky’s rate of new cases in the last seven days first in the nation.

The state’s report for the Monday-through-Sunday reporting week showed 9,074 new cases, down 29% from 12,830 the previous week. The daily average decreased to 1,296 from 1,832.

Of the week’s new cases, 23% were in people 18 and younger, down from the 29% reported the prior week.

The statewide incidence rate was 26.97 cases per 100,000 population; down almost one-third from 39.72 the week before.

The counties with the 10 highest rates were Perry, 124.2; Breathitt, 107.5; Wolfe, 85.8; Wayne, 82.9; Clinton, 76.9; Rowan, 73; Russell, 70.9; Cumberland, 67.0; Monroe, 63.0; and Leslie, 59.3. The Times says Rowan, Rockcastle, Wayne, Carroll and Perry counties have some of the highest rates in the nation.