Norwin area coronavirus cases jump almost 22% in past week
The North Huntingdon-Irwin-North Irwin area saw a 21.9% jump in coronavirus cases in the past week, mirroring the increase in Norwin schools and Westmoreland County.
The Norwin area, which has a population of about 35,000, has had 356 confirmed cases of coronavirus since the pandemic hit the region in March, up from 292 cases as of Oct. 5, according to state Department of Health data released Monday.
The rise in cases in the Norwin area also has occurred across Westmoreland County. Since the beginning of the month, the county’s seven-day case total has increased close to 200%, from 149 to 443 as of Monday. Since the pandemic began in March, 2,904 residents have tested positive for the virus.
Westmoreland County had an increase of 90 more coronavirus cases from Sunday to Monday, which followed another 52 cases reported on Sunday, the health department stated. There were two more two more deaths in the county on Monday, raising the total of the covid-19 related deaths to 64 county residents.
Because of five more covid-19 cases among Norwin’s students and staff, the district closed the high school, middle school, intermediate school and the Hahntown Elementary and Sunset Valley elementary schools. On Saturday, school officials said three more students had coronavirus — two at Hahntown Elementary and one at the high school.
There were 343 confirmed cases of coronavirus as of Monday in the 15642 ZIP code, which covers Irwin, North Irwin and most of North Huntingdon, the health department said. There were 22 probable cases and 5,584 negative tests.
In the area served by the Ardara 15615 ZIP code, there were between 1 and 4 confirmed cases, no probable cases and 26 negative tests.
In the Larimer section of North Huntingdon served by the 15647 ZIP code, there were no confirmed or probable cases, and 31 negative tests.
In the Westmoreland City section of North Huntingdon served by the 15692 ZIP code, there were 9 confirmed cases, no probable cases and 111 negative tests.
Joe Napsha is a TribLive reporter covering Irwin, North Huntingdon and the Norwin School District. He also writes about business issues. He grew up on Neville Island and has worked at the Trib since the early 1980s. He can be reached at jnapsha@triblive.com.
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