Coronavirus cases jump almost 22% in Norwin area

The number of coronavirus cases in the North Huntingdon, Irwin and North Irwin area rose almost 22% from Nov. 9 to 16, mirroring the rise in Westmoreland County cases that has pushed the county to being categorized as being in a “substantial” level for the spread of the virus, according to the state Department of Health.

Coronavirus cases over the past week increased in the three municipalities by 133, a 21.6% jump, according to health department data. There were 748 confirmed cases on Nov. 16, up from 615 confirmed cases on Nov. 9,. The case count is based on the number of residents — the region has a population of 35,000 — who have had coronavirus since mid-March. The increase from Nov. 2 to 9, was slightly less than 10%.

There were 685 confirmed cases in the North Huntingdon-Irwin 15642 ZIP code, with 190 probable and 7,065 covid-19 tests that were negative.

There were 33 confirmed covid-19 cases in the Larimer 15647 ZIP code, with nine probable 193 negative tests.

The Westmoreland City 15692 ZIP code had 23 confirmed cases, five probable and 138 negative rest results.

In the Ardara 15615 ZIP code, there were seven confirmed cases, none probable and 45 negative test results.

As the number of confirmed cases in the Norwin area rises, so does the probable case count, which was up by almost 66% in the past week. There were 204 probable cases in Nov. 16, compared to 123 as of Nov. 9, the health department statistics showed.

In the Norwin School District, there have been 51 cases among students and staff since school began on Aug. 31, Superintendent Jeff Taylor said Monday.

Taylor recommended on Nov. 9 that the district should not hold full five-day-a-week in-school classes beginning Wednesday. The district is instructing students in a hybrid manner — two in-school days and three days of virtual learning.

With the county in the substantial level for the spread of coronavirus, the state Department of Education recommends instructing students in a virtual method.