9 more coronavirus cases at Westmoreland Manor

Nine more employees at Westmoreland Manor, the county-owned nursing home in Hempfield, tested positive for coronavirus, officials said Friday.

According to the latest update from county officials, no additional residents have been diagnosed with coronavirus, leaving the number of infected at 47. There are currently 336 residents at the Manor.

The additional staffers diagnosed with the virus brings the total number of infected employees to 19. The Manor has a staff of more than 400.

County officials have worked to contain the virus since it discovered the outbreak last weekend following state-mandated baseline testing.

The initial round of testing was completed on Wednesday but residents and staff will continue to be monitored and tested until two weeks have passed without any additional positive cases.

Until the current outbreak was identified, no residents at the Manor had tested positive for coronavirus since the onset of the pandemic in March.

County commissioners on Thursday said they called in the Pennsylvania National Guard to assist with testing at the facility. National Guard members are expected to arrive at the Manor on Sunday and remain through at least Tuesday, county officials said.

“(The National Guard) will assist with testing, enabling management staff to focus on patient care,” according the county’s update on Friday.

Residents who tested positive for coronavirus have been moved to a designated unit within the facility while infected staffers are isolating at home, commissioners said.

Earlier this week county commissioners said most of the infected residents have been asymptomatic or experienced just minor symptoms.