2 Westmoreland Manor residents dead as coronavirus cases surge, 1 victim identified

Two residents at Westmoreland Manor have died after contracting the coronavirus.

County officials reported Wednesday the two deaths as well as another significant increase in the number of infections at the county-owned nursing home in Hempfield.

Westmoreland County Coroner Ken Bacha confirmed a report that one of the residents who perished is Ed Gavlak, 84, who died Tuesday in Excela Health Westmoreland Hospital. WPXI-TV learned from Gavlak’s family that he was diagnosed with the coronavirus on Sept. 30 and was transferred to the hospital Friday.

According to his obituary published in the Tribune-Review, Gavlak was an Army veteran and former Acme resident who worked as a union carpenter and auctioneer. He is survived by four children, five grandchildren, five great-grandchildren and three siblings.

County officials did not disclose the circumstances of the second death, or the name of the victim.

Another 18 residents and four more staffers tested positive for the virus.

With those new cases, 104 residents at the county nursing home have contracted coronavirus, or 31% of the Hempfield facility’s population of 336 elderly and handicapped occupants.

Officials said 32 Manor staffers and contracted nurses have been infected since the outbreak started in mid-September.

“We are doing as much as we can, but this is a virus that is spreading at a massive rate,” county Commissioner Sean Kertes said. “I don’t know what else we can do.”

Officials said the county called in medical assistance from Excela Health in Greensburg and UPMC in Pittsburgh, along with the Pennsylvania National Guard, to help with the care of residents and to assist with daily testing of staff and residents.

Kertes said the county is following all recommendations from the medical experts.

According to the county, most residents and staff have exhibited either no symptoms or minor symptoms. Four residents have been hospitalized.

“I’m definitely concerned we are still picking up cases, but that is the nature of this virus. It’s a challenging virus to deal with,” said Commissioner Doug Chew, who earlier this week tested positive.

County officials have yet to disclose how the outbreak started. In-person visitation with residents at the Manor resumed just a few days before the outbreak was discovered. Once the first positive tests were identified, visitation was halted.

The National Guard, which arrived at the Manor late last month, is expected to remain on site through at least Oct. 12.

Residents who tested positive for the virus were transferred initially to one unit within the Manor.