Health

COVID-19 thrives in Treasure Valley neighborhoods with low vaccination rates

Meridian and Kuna have low vaccine uptake and more new coronavirus infections

By: Audrey Dutton - August 27, 2021 4:45 am

Map showing new cases of COVID-19 per capita by ZIP code in the Treasure Valley. (Audrey Dutton/Idaho Capital Sun)

Treasure Valley areas that have low rates of COVID-19 vaccination also have been a breeding ground for the delta variant of the coronavirus this summer, an analysis by the Idaho Capital Sun has found.

But areas with higher uptake of the COVID-19 vaccine have mounted a stronger defense against the fast-spreading delta variant, which became the dominant strain of coronavirus this summer.

Southeast and North Boise ZIP codes had higher vaccination rates per capita and among the lowest rates of new COVID-19 cases in the Treasure Valley metro area, according to state data obtained by Idaho Reports and the Sun.

Meanwhile, ZIP codes in western Ada County and Canyon County had relatively low vaccination rates and more newly diagnosed COVID-19 cases per capita.

Click here for a full, interactive map of vaccination rates in the Boise-Nampa area.

Click here for a full, interactive map of new COVID-19 cases in the Boise-Nampa area.

The data used for the analysis include COVID-19 cases reported between early June and mid-August, and vaccination rates by ZIP code as of mid-August. The records contain no information that could be used to identify anyone.

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Below, use our searchable table to check your ZIP code’s vaccination rates as of Aug. 19, and new cases of COVID-19 between May 30 and Aug. 13. (Note: ZIP codes with a very small population, college campuses or many part-time residents may have inaccurate data. Obviously incorrect information has been redacted.)

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Audrey Dutton

Audrey Dutton, senior investigative reporter, joined the Idaho Capital Sun after 10 years at the Idaho Statesman. Her favorite topics to cover include health care, business, consumer protection issues and white collar crime. Before coming home to Idaho, Dutton worked as a journalist in Minnesota, New York, Maryland and Washington, D.C. Dutton's work has earned dozens of state, regional and national awards for investigative reporting, health care and business reporting, data visualization and more.