Don’t stop wearing masks and washing hands, but there is a bit of good local news related to COVID-19 this week.
After a two week period in which COVID-19 cases linked to the 97303 zip code grew by 57 cases, only eight new positive tests were recorded in the Oregon Health Authority’s weekly report released July 1.
The 97303 zip code that includes all of Keizer and smaller portions of Salem.
On June 24, the number of positive COVID-19 tests linked to the 97303 zip code rose to 143 from 110 the week prior. In the past week the number of COVID-19 positive tests only rose to 151, a dramatic drop off from the previous surging numbers.
To combat surging coronavirus numbers, Gov. Kate Brown mandated face covering throughout the state in all indoor public spaces. The mandate began July 1.
While Keizer does not have an identified outbreak of coronavirus linked to a single source, numerous large employers in neighboring areas with employees who live in Keizer could be affecting the area.