Jan. 25: Covid spread in North Huntingdon-Irwin area remains flat

The anticipated post-holiday spike in new covid cases has not materialized in the four ZIP codes covering most of the North Huntingdon-Irwin-North Irwin area, with the percentage of new cases over the past week at less than 5% for the second consecutive week, according to state Health Department data released Monday.

The number of confirmed covid cases in the North Huntingdon-Irwin, Larimer, Ardara and Westmoreland City ZIP codes increased by 101 to 2,484, for the seven days from Jan. 18 to 25. The number of covid cases from Jan. 18 to 25 increased by 4.2%, slightly above the 4.1% for the week preceding Jan. 18. The total count is based on the number of confirmed cases since the pandemic hit the region in March 2020.

With a population of about 35,000, there have been 1,062 probable but not confirmed cases since March, up just 62 cases or 5.8% in the past week. The total number of negative test results among residents in the four ZIP cases was 10,643, up from 294 as of Jan. 18. The negative test results include a count of the persons who have had more than one negative covid test.

In the North Huntingdon-Irwin-North Irwin 15642 ZIP codes, there were 2,393 confirmed covid cases, 1,039 probable cases and 10,312 cases with negative test results since March. The ZIP code covers West Hempfield and parts of Penn Township.

There were 60 confirmed covid cases in the Westmoreland City 15692 ZIP code, 17 probable cases and 204 negative test results.

In the Ardara 15615 ZIP code, there were 17 confirmed cases, 1 probable and 61 negative test results.

There were 14 confirmed cases in the Larimer 15647 ZIP code, five probable cases and 66 negative test results.

The numbers of confirmed cases include 12 Norwin students who reported to the district they had tested positive for coronavirus from Jan. 20 to 25, the school district reported. Among the students reporting over the past week they had covid were four high school students, three middle school students, two Norwin Online Academy students and two Hillcrest Intermediate students and one Sheridan Terrace Elementary student.

In addition, a high school staff member and a student service employee reported testing positive for coronavirus. The district does not identify hometowns of those who had covid.