Rate of new covid cases in North Huntingdon, Irwin areas falls below 1%, as of May 10
The weekly rate of new covid cases fell below 1% for residents in the four ZIP codes covering the North Huntingdon-North Irwin-Irwin area, the smallest increase since October, according to state Department of Health data released Monday.
There were 28 new covid cases in the area reported from May 3 - 10, compared to 44 new cases the previous week. This is the third consecutive week of declining new cases in the four ZIP codes, which include portions of Hempfield and Penn townships, but not the portion of North Huntingdon bordering Trafford and White Oak.
The .8% increase from May 3 - 10 stands in stark contrast to the 20% weekly increase of new cases in October in the same region, which has about 35,000 people. There was a 1.3% increase in new confirmed cases from April 26 - May 3. The total number of positive cases in those four ZIP codes since March 2020 is 3,231.
The state counted 1,642 probable but not confirmed cases as of May 10, just 41 more than the previous week. There have been 12,736 negative test results, an increase of 136 from May 3, but only slightly more than the increase of 124 negative test results from April 26 - May 3.
In the North Huntingdon-Irwin-North Irwin 15642 ZIP code, there were 3,120 confirmed cases, an increase of 28 over the past week; 1,605 probable cases, 39 more than last week; and 12,342 negative test results, an increase of 134 since May 3.
The Westmoreland City 15692 ZIP code had 67 confirmed covid cases, one more than last week, and 21 probable cases, the same as May 3. There have been 233 negative test results as of May 10, an increase of two since last week.
In the Ardara 15615 ZIP code, there were 27 confirmed cases, one less than last week; and eight probable cases and 80 negative test results, the same as last week.
The Larimer 15647 ZIP code had 17 confirmed cases; eight probable cases and 81 negative test results, the same as last week.
To help reduce the spread of covid in the area, the Norwin School District will hold a vaccine clinic from 3 to 7 p.m. Friday for high school students and their family members age 16 and older.
Rite Aid personnel will administer the shots at the high school gymnasium and appointments for a second vaccine shot will be made at that time.
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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