Norwin area covid cases jump 24%; 60% since post-Thanksgiving

The spike in coronavirus cases in the North Huntingdon-Irwin-North Irwin area continued the past week, rising 24% from Dec. 7-14, and a staggering 60% jump from Thanksgiving week, based on state Department of Health data from four ZIP codes covering most of the area.

The North Huntingdon-Irwin-North Irwin area, with about 35,000 people, saw the number of confirmed coronavirus cases rise by 315 to 1,617, from 1,302 as of Dec. 7, according to health department data. The percentage increase in confirmed cases for the seven-day period ending Dec. 14 actually dropped to 24.1%, from the 29% increase in the week preceding Dec. 7, based on health department data.

Since Nov. 30, the number of confirmed cases in the Norwin area has increased by 609 — to 1,617 from 1,008, according to health department data.

There were 162 more probable cases as of Dec. 14 in the four ZIP codes, increasing to 514, from 352, on Dec. 7. The number of negative tests, as counted from the beginning of the pandemic in the state, was 9,040, up from 8,556 as of Dec. 7.

There was a 39% positivity rate for corona virus for the past week in the four ZIP codes, as determined by the number of confirmed cases divided by negative test results and confirmed cases.

In the North Huntingdon 15642 ZIP code, where the majority of the population lives, there were 1,558 confirmed cases, 497 probable cases and 8,759 negative test results. The 15642 ZIP covers part of Penn Township.

In the Westmoreland City 15692 ZIP code, there were 41 confirmed cases, 11 probable and 176 negative tests.

There have been 10 confirmed cases in the Larimer 15647 ZIP code, with five probable cases and 53 negative test results.

There have been just eight confirmed coronavirus cases in the Ardara 15615 ZIP code, between one and four probable cases and 52 negative test results.