Norwin area sees 60% jump in covid-19 numbers in past week

The Norwin area, which has a population of about 35,000, has had 584 confirmed cases of coronavirus since the pandemic hit the region in March, up from 356 cases on Oct. 12, according to state Department of Health data released Monday.

The rise in cases in the Norwin area — which are up 60% since Oct. 12 — has occurred across Westmoreland County. Since the pandemic began in March, 3,666 residents have tested positive for the virus.

There were 496 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 77 probable cases and 6,231 negative tests.

In the area served by the Ardara 15615 ZIP code, there were between 1 and 4 confirmed cases, no probable cases and 32 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 11 confirmed cases, between 1 and 4 probable cases and 122 negative tests.

Norwin School District officials said Monday that their middle school will close for at least two days this week and the full reopening of schools will be postponed from Nov. 4 until at least Nov. 18.

Two positive cases were recently identified in the middle school.

Superintendent Jeff Taylor said Monday the community spread and transmission rates in the North Huntingdon-Irwin area remain in the “substantial category” and have increased in the past two weeks. The positivity rate for school district residents infected with coronavirus has increased from 11.5% on Oct. 5 to 16.3% as of Oct. 26.

Despite a small spike in late June and early July, Westmoreland County’s daily confirmed case counts had remained relatively low until a sharp uptick beginning in late September, which continued before peaking at 136 cases reported on Oct. 14. And with the exception of two small daily spikes, those numbers have been trending downward in the past week.