North Huntingdon-Irwin covid-19 cases up almost 20% in 1 week
The number of coronavirus cases in the North Huntingdon and Irwin areas took another jump in the past week, rising about 20% at the same time cases have been increasing in Westmoreland County, according to data from the state Department of Health.
The community of about 35,000 residents saw 443 confirmed cases from Oct. 12-19, figures released this week by the health department showed. That represented a 19.6% increase from the week of Oct. 5-12, when the state reported 356 confirmed cases.
The percentage increase in cases from Oct. 12-19 was slightly less than the previous week, which saw a 21.9% increase in new cases.
Westmoreland County experienced an additional 63 confirmed cases on Monday, following 73 news cases reported Sunday. That was a decrease from triple-digit confirmed cases last week.
The Norwin School District announced Monday that seven more people — six students and a staff member — have tested positive for coronavirus. The school district has had about 20 cases since reopening Aug. 31. Five of its seven schools were closed Oct. 8-1 because of new cases.
The health department’s contract tracing determined none of the students or staff were infected by the virus while at school, said Brian Carlton, Norwin School Board president. The district on Monday indicated it plans to return to full-time instruction on Nov. 4, with several board members supporting the plan.
There were 433 confirmed cases of coronavirus as of Monday in the 15642 ZIP code, which covers Irwin, North Irwin and most of North Huntingdon. There were 38 probable and 5,903 negative test results since March, the state reported.
There were 10 confirmed cases in Westmoreland City section of North Huntingdon served by the 15692 ZIP code. There were between one and four probable cases and 113 negative tests results.
In the area served by the Ardara 15615 ZIP code, there were between 1 and 4 confirmed cases, no probable cases and 30 negative tests.
The Larimer section of North Huntingdon served by the 15647 ZIP code, had between one and four confirmed and probable cases, and 31 negative tests results.
Joe Napsha is a TribLive reporter covering Irwin, North Huntingdon and the Norwin School District. He also writes about business issues. He grew up on Neville Island and has worked at the Trib since the early 1980s. He can be reached at jnapsha@triblive.com.
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