National Guard begins helping with covid-19 testing at Westmoreland Manor
Six National Guard members arrived Sunday morning at Westmoreland Manor and began assisting with testing for covid-19 infections at the nursing home.
They are expected to remain at the home at least until Tuesday. The Guard members responded to a request for help Thursday by county officials, following a spike in positive cases among patients and staff members.
Before the arrival of the Guard contingent, the home reported 47 patients, 21 employees and one contracted staff member had tested positive for the virus. Until that outbreak occurred, no residents at the home had tested positive since the local arrival of the pandemic in March.
Residents who test positive for covid-19 are moved to a designated unit at the home. Staff members who test positive are required to quarantine at home.
If the county wants the Guard members to remain at the Manor past Tuesday, it will have to submit an additional request, County Commissioner Sean Kertes said.
Westmoreland Manor has 336 residents and a staff of more than 400.
Jeff Himler is a TribLive reporter covering Greater Latrobe, Ligonier Valley, Mt. Pleasant Area and Derry Area school districts and their communities. He also reports on transportation issues. A journalist for more than three decades, he enjoys delving into local history. He can be reached at jhimler@triblive.com.
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