Serving Central Oregon since 1903 • $1.50
Monday • May 3, 2021
Oregon | State of the pandemic
ZIP codes with most new cases
include Redmond and Bend
By BRad SCHMIdT
The Oregonian
Coronavirus cases climbed dra-
matically across Oregon for a fifth
consecutive week, according to the
latest state data, tripling from the lev-
els of mid-March.
The Oregon Health Authority re-
ported 5,729 confirmed or presumed
infections for the week ending Sun-
day, April 25, up 21% from the pre-
vious week. New cases slightly out-
paced the increase in week-to-week
testing, which stood at 17%.
Oregon has recorded five consec-
utive weeks with at least 21% more
cases over the previous week. That’s
led to significant growth, with the
most recent case count three times
as high as the 1,920 cases recorded
during the week ending March 21.
If there’s solace, it appears that the
week that concludes Sunday, May
2, is not on track to see such a high
growth rate. In fact, there’s a pos-
sibility the weekly case count stays
roughly flat or even declines.
In the previous week, ZIP codes
in Central and Southern Oregon re-
corded the most new cases, while
parts of the the Portland area and Sa-
lem also posted high numbers.
The Oregonian monitors state
coronavirus data, reporting by ZIP
code the areas with the greatest
weekly changes. The analysis also
highlights the areas with the most
new cases in relation to population.
Here’s a brief summary of the com-
munities that added the most cases
for the week ending Sunday, April 25:
97603: Klamath Falls
This Klamath County ZIP code
added 173 cases, raising its tally to
1,977. That’s the 20th most in Ore-
gon and 38th most per capita since
the start of the pandemic.
97756: Redmond
This Deschutes County ZIP code
added 145 cases, raising its tally to
2,075. That’s the 17th most in Ore-
gon and 73rd most per capita since
the start of the pandemic.
See Zip codes / A4
Science behind the surge,
new restrictions and
vaccination guidelines
By ERIn RoSS
Oregon Public Broadcasting
SALEM — For five weeks now,
COVID-19 cases in Oregon have
been surging. On Friday, 15 coun-
ties fell under new social distancing
restrictions to curb the virus’ spread.
Deschutes County was among them.
Here’s what you need to know
about the coronavirus variants driv-
ing infection, new restrictions, up-
dated guidelines for the vaccinated
and unvaccinated, and the science
underlying them.
Much of Oregon is under new so-
cial distancing restrictions, and the
CDC has released new guidelines.
What is the science
behind these things?
Closing restaurants and indoor
dining:
Eating indoors has been con-
sistently listed among the most
COVID-19-dangerous activities.
When you eat inside, you remove
your mask. And depending on the
air circulation in a room, tiny drop-
lets of water and virus can remain
in the air for a very long time, said
Chunhuei Chi, the director of Or-
egon State University’s Center for
Global Health.
See Science / A4
PLANTING 100 TREES A YEAR
Some La Grande-area residents
consider this lone maple in a field
north of the city off the Wallowa
Lake Highway as a favorite tree.
La Grande continues a tradition
of growing its urban forest
By aLEX WITTWER • The Observer (La Grande)
petals.
“Our goal is to plant 100 shade trees every year in the
city,” Gustafson said.
The numerous trees, she also explained, make La Grande
a vibrant place to live, with cooler streets and homes, habitat
for wildlife, cleaner air and water, and other benefits.
The city celebrated its 31st year as a Tree City USA mem-
ber on Friday, Arbor Day. Last year, La Grande won a
Growth Award for the 29th consecutive year, one of only a
handful of cities to do so nationwide. The city hopes to win
the award once again this year.
Among the colorful flowering peach and plum trees that
bloom in spring, the city is host to two Oregon Heritage
Trees. Those are trees the Heritage Tree Committee, under
the Oregon Travel Information Council, deem as worthy of
state recognition.
See Trees / A10
TODAY’S
WEATHER
Clouds and sun
High 65, Low 43
Page a10
INDEX
Comics
Dear Abby
Horoscope
LEFT: a pair of flowering pear trees in blossom sit outside an office building on Washington avenue in downtown La Grande.
RIGHT: This ginkgo tree is outside the site of the former Maridell Community Center on Washington avenue. La Grande is
a Tree City USa member and aims to plant 100 trees a year. Photos by Alex Wittwer/The Observer
A7-8
A4
A4
Kid Scoop
Local/State
Nation/World
A9
A2
A3
Puzzles
Sports
Weather
A8
A5-6
A10
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T
he city of La Grande’s urban forester Teresa Gus-
tafson said her favorite trees are the Ginkgos that
sit along Washington Avenue. During fall months
they turn golden and shower the street with their
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