5 more coronavirus cases at Westmoreland Manor

Pennsylvania National Guard members, stationed a Westmoreland Manor since late September, departed the county-owned nursing home over the weekend even as coronavirus cases there continued to grow.

County officials said Tuesday another five residents tested positive since Saturday at the 400-bed home in Hempfield.

There have now been 112 residents and 33 staffers infected with the virus since the outbreak was first discovered in mid-September.

County commissioners late last month called in the national guard to assist with daily testing of residents and were initially expected to remain at the nursing home for about three days. As cases continued to mount, the guard stayed on for nearly two additional weeks and finally departed the facility on Sunday night, said Commissioner Gina Cerilli.

Since the onset of the outbreak, three residents have died from the virus, officials said.

Cerilli said, as of Tuesday afternoon, five residents remained hospitalized, although one was expected to be returned to the Manor later in the evening.

Commissioners on Tuesday also extended contracts pay hazard wages through the end of October to nurses and other employees from two private nursing companies called on to assist with staffing at the Manor during the coronavirus outbreak.

The county staffers working at the Manor also are receiving hazard pay, Cerilli said.

Testing of residents and staff will continue. Officials said those who have previously tested negative for the virus will be retested every three to seven days. Testing will continue at the Manor until two weeks have passed without any new cases being identified.