In-person visits resume at Westmoreland Manor

Westmoreland officials said Tuesday that in-person visits with residents at the county-owned nursing home in Hempfield have restarted.

Visitation of residents at Westmoreland Manor initially was suspended in March at the onset of the coronavirus pandemic and briefly restarted on a modified basis in late July before being again put on hold after a staff member tested positive for covid-19.

That positive test triggered a reset of the reopening protocols at the 400-bed facility that, for the last month, only allowed for residents to meet with visitors through a window.

In-person visits, scheduled by appointment on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays, will be conducted outside under a tent. Visitors will be subjected to temperature checks and required to wear masks, according the Manor’s updated policy. In times of severe weather the visits could be moved to an indoor all-purpose room in the facility, the plan states.

Westmoreland County commissioners said most in-person visits will remain outdoor for the time being.

“We still have 70-degree days this week,” said Commissioner Gina Cerilli.

No concrete plans to alter the visitation policy has been finalized even as autumn approaches and the weather cools.

“We’re waiting for the Department of Health, to see if they will ease restrictions,” said Commissioner Sean Kertes.

Two administrators and one additional employee at the Manor tested positive for covid-19 since the onset of the pandemic in March. A private nurse contracted to work at the Manor tested positive this spring but was not in the facility prior to learning that result.

No residents have tested positive for the coronavirus, officials said.