Coronavirus is spreading more widely in an increasing number of communities across the state, as the increasing number of cases can no longer be largely attributed to concentrations in just a handful of Oregon ZIP codes.
State data released by the Oregon Health Authority last week showed 1,402 new confirmed or suspected infections for the week ending June 28, bringing the grand total to 8,485 (since then it has risen to more than 10,000 with new zip code data to be released on Wednesday).
Those new cases were more geographically diverse than in recent weeks. About 21 ZIP codes accounted for about half of the newer cases. In the past, 14 or fewer ZIP codes generally accounted for half of newly identified cases.
Overall, 41 Oregon ZIP codes reported at least 10 new cases in the state’s most recent weekly report, an analysis by The Oregonian / OregonLive shows. The new cases were widely identified across Oregon, including two zip codes for the Lake Oswego suburb of Portland and even the Irrigon and Boardman communities in rural Morrow County.
Here’s a look at the 10 ZIP codes where more than 25 new infections were reported. (Click here for an interactive map)
97838, Hermiston
Confirmed or suspected infections shot up to 314, growing by 140 during the week.
Part of the increase is related to an outbreak at the Lamb Weston potato factory, where identified cases totaled 72 to June 28. That was roughly double the week before.
The massive weekly increase in this Umatilla County ZIP code made it number 2 statewide for the most cumulatively identified coronavirus cases. It has the fourth most per capita.
97850, La Grande
The total number of cases was 284, an increase of 54.
This Union County ZIP code has seen growing cases after an outbreak linked to the Lighthouse Pentecostal Church in Island City near La Grande.
The Oregon Health Authority is now reporting an outbreak of 11 cases related to Grande Ronde Hospital and seven cases related to the manufacture of recreational outdoor vehicles. The agency also reports nine cases related to the New Day Enterprises call center and five cases linked to the Grande Ronde retirement home.
This ZIP code has the fourth most cases in Oregon and the second most per capita.
97233 East Portland / Gresham
Confirmed or suspected infections total 245, growing by 37.
This Multnomah County ZIP Code has regularly added a large number of infections every week, and county public health officials say some cases in the central county area are linked to workplaces in other nearby ZIP codes or spread between some tight-knit immigrant and refugee communities.
The Oregon Health Authority reported an outbreak at Pacifica Senior Living Portland in its latest weekly report, with a total of 10 cases.
This ZIP code has the sixth most cases in the entire state and the 13 most per capita.
97071, Woodburn
The total number of cases reached 286, increasing by 36 compared to the previous week.
This Marion County ZIP code had been among the most affected by the state in the pandemic, but cases had slowed down recently. There does not appear to be a reported outbreak in a workplace or care facility driving the new spike.
This ZIP code has the third highest number of cases in Oregon and the eighth most per capita.
97305, Salem
Confirmed or suspected infections total 192, an increase of 34.
There doesn’t appear to be a reported workplace or call center outbreak driving the new growth of this Marion County ZIP code.
It is tied for the eight most cases statewide and the 18 most per capita.
97236 East Portland
The total number of cases has reached 336, growing by 31 from a week earlier.
This Multnomah County ZIP code has been one of the worst affected by coronavirus in the state due to an outbreak this spring at Healthcare at Foster Creek. The state is now reporting an outbreak at Arcadia Senior Living totaling six cases, just two more than a week earlier. County public health officials have also said that some cases in the middle of Multnomah County are linked to workplaces in other nearby zip codes and spread among some tight-knit immigrant and refugee communities.
This ZIP code has the most cases in Oregon and the 9th most per capita.
97080, Gresham
Confirmed or suspected infections reached 144, a peak of 30 from the previous week.
There doesn’t appear to be a reported workplace or call center outbreak driving the new peak for this Multnomah County ZIP code.
This ZIP code has the twelfth most infections in the state and the 32nd most per capita.
Hillsboro 97123
The total number of cases is 203, 29 more than the previous week.
The Oregon Health Authority reported a new workplace outbreak at Oregon Harvesting Inc., with a total of 10 confirmed or suspected infections.
In all, this Washington County ZIP code has the seventh most cumulative infection and the twentieth most per capita.
97882, Umatilla
Confirmed or suspected infections stood at 79, an increase of 26 from the previous week.
Umatilla is just seven miles south of Hermiston, where the newest cases have been reported. There does not appear to be a reported outbreak at a workplace or care facility within this specific Umatilla County ZIP code.
This ZIP code is linked to the 33rd most in Oregon, and the 7th most per capita.
97230 East Portland / Gresham
Total cases increased to 154, a jump from 26.
The Oregon Health Authority reported two workplace workplace outbreaks for businesses in this ZIP code. Teeny Foods has 26 cases identified, two more than the previous week, while Morasch Meats has 10 recently reported cases. Meanwhile, the state also reported an outbreak at the Pacific Gardens Alzheimer’s Special Care Center related to three confirmed or suspected infections.
This ZIP Code has the 10th highest number of cases in Oregon and the 24th highest per capita.
Other postal codes
Another 31 ZIP codes had at least 10 new cases, including: 97062, Tualatin (25); 97365, Newport (23); 97914, Ontario (23); 97801, Pendleton (22); 97045, Oregon City (21); 97203, North Portland (15); 97844, Irrigon (13); 97818, Boardman (12); 97761, hot springs (10); 97035, Oswego Lake (10); and 97034, Lake Oswego (10).
– Brad Schmidt; [email protected]; 503-294-7628; @_brad_schmidt
