Westmoreland County Housing Authority confirms 1st covid-19 case at Parnassus Manor

A resident of Parnassus Manor in New Kensington has tested positive for covid-19, Westmoreland County Housing Authority Executive Director Michael Washowich said Friday.

The resident, who is not being identified because of privacy laws, notified the authority Thursday. The authority alerted residents of the high-rise the same day, he said.

It is the only covid case the authority is aware of at any of its properties, Washowich said. The authority owns and operates 38 housing communities, including senior high-rises, apartments, townhouses and single-family homes.

The authority has asked residents who test positive for the virus to notify them so it can take steps to protect other residents, Washowich said.

The resident at Parnassus Manor is quarantined in their unit, Washowich said. The building, for seniors and the disabled, is nearly 100% occupied.

“It’s a very contagious disease,” he said. “If you are concerned when you walk out of your apartment, you need to be focused on paying attention and social distancing and limiting your guests and doing everything that everybody has heard of for the past eight weeks.”

In response to the case, Washowich said the authority is having its maintenance department sanitize the building two times each day, and it brought in an environmental company to perform a deep cleaning and sanitize all community areas and touch points throughout the building.

“We’ve done everything in our power from a resident standpoint and employee standpoint to protect the health and safety of our residents and staff and will continue to do so,” he said.

The authority asks its residents to follow CDC guidelines, including wearing masks in public, social distancing, sheltering in place and only leaving for essentials.

Washowich said the authority has had isolated issues of residents defying safety measures, including gathering in groups in lobby areas. All such violations have been dealt with, he said.

In a notice to residents, the authority said that “social eviction remains intact,” and residents will see additional police patrols in all communities.

Residents who have suffered a financial hardship are encouraged to contact the authority for a rent adjustment, Washowich said. Rent is based on a percentage of income.