26 new coronavirus cases reported in Westmoreland Co. as total jumps to 110

Westmoreland County saw its biggest single-day increase in coronavirus cases since the pandemic hit the county in mid-March.

Twenty-six new cases were reported in the state health department’s update Friday, bringing Westmoreland’s total to 110, a 31% increase from the previous day.

The health department reported 12 more deaths statewide Friday, bringing the state’s total to 102, none so far in Westmoreland County. Officials reported 1,404 new cases in the state — the biggest single-day increase since the first cases were reported March 6 — bringing Pennsylvania’s total to 8,420.

Five new cases were reported in Fayette County, bringing its total to 20. The county continues to report one death.

Washington County reported two more cases, and Indiana County reported one new case, bringing their totals to 40 and six, respectively.

Allegheny County saw an increase of 57 new cases Friday, bringing its total to 476.

Officials in Westmoreland County, which has second highest caseload in Western Pennsylvania, continued to urge residents to remain at home and, when out, to practice social distancing.

Dr. William Jenkins, emergency medicine director at Excela Health, in a news release issued Friday afternoon talked about the urgency to continue social distancing and for residents to stay at home when possible.

“The next two weeks are critical to our public health efforts to control the spread of covid-19. Community cooperation is essential to eliminating disease spread. As the weather gets nicer, please continue social distancing and resist the urge to congregate outside in groups. It is essential that all families do their part to help us through this difficult and potentially dangerous time,” Jenkins said.

Commissioner Sean Kertes also urged residents to remain at home.

“We do have an older population and we don’t want this to impact the ones most susceptible to get this,” Kertes said.

Commissioner Gina Cerilli said, as the numbers of infected residents continues to climb, local and state officials have started to explore the potential construction of temporary medical facilities should demand for treatment outpace the current ability of local hospitals to treat the sick.

She declined to reveal specifics about the plans for temporary treatment facilities.

“The community has been great in coming together during this time. A couple of business owners have personally reached out to me as well as labor unions to assist, if and when we would need to move forward,” she said.