2 confirmed coronavirus cases in Westmoreland County

Westmoreland County has its first two confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus, the state Department of Health announced Thursday.

The cases were among 52 new confirmed positives reported statewide, bringing the total number of Pennsylvania cases to 185. It’s an increase of 39% over the previous day and comes as testing has ramped up.

“Our notable increase in cases over the last few days and our first death in Pennsylvania indicate we need everyone to take covid-19 seriously,” Secretary of Health Dr. Rachel Levine said.

Levine said 1,608 patients statewide have tested negative, and the state saw its first death from covid-19 on Wednesday. The state is no longer able to track how many tests are pending.

Westmoreland County Public Safety Director Roland Mertz said state officials have not shared any specific information about the local cases.

Mertz said he was notified late Wednesday about one positive test. He was not updated about a second case.

“All we know is the tests were conducted in Westmoreland County and came back as a presumed positive. The next step will be for the Department of State to conduct contact tracing to see if it is in the community,” Mertz said. “We don’t know if it’s a Westmoreland County resident or someone just tested in Westmoreland County.”

The county will release any additional information it learns about the local cases, Mertz said.

Excela Health had no information about the cases either.

“To date, Excela Health has not processed any positive tests for covid-19,” said chief medical officer Dr. Carol Fox. “Of course, this is an evolving situation so that status could change at any time.”

In a video statement released Thursday, county Commissioners’ Chairman Sean Kertes called for a calm reaction to the disclosure from state health officials.

“This is the moment we all dreaded but, fortunately, we all anticipated,” Kertes said. “We now know that covid-19 is in our community, and we have to do everything in our power to stop its spread.”

Kertes called on all residents to continue social distancing.

“It’s important to protect our county’s most vulnerable,” he said.

One new case was also confirmed in Washington County, bringing the total there to three.

In Allegheny County, health officials reported six new cases Thursday, bringing the county total to 18.

Westmoreland commissioners declared a state of emergency last weekend, giving county officials the ability to quickly activate emergency personnel and pay for the response.

The move was meant to get ahead of the virus before it landed in the county.

“The county is taking proactive measures by declaring a disaster emergency as a result of the covid-19 creating a public health emergency,” Kertes said Saturday. “The declaration has the effect of temporarily suspending certain procedures to mobilize emergency response for the covid-19.”

County leaders urged small businesses and nonprofits to get applications in for Small Business Administration economic injury disaster loans. Gov. Tom Wolf announced Thursday afternoon that the low-interest loans for small businesses and nonprofits were available.

Loan applications can be downloaded at sba.gov/disaster. Kertes said businesses should not wait because it was unclear how much the administration might earmark for Pennsylvania.

“We want the county economy to be well-positioned to emerge strong once this passes,” he said in a statement.

Anyone with questions about the funding should contact the administration’s Pittsburgh office at wpainfo@sba.gov.

Staff writer Renatta Signorini contributed.