Norwin sees downward trend in new covid cases

The North Huntingdon-Irwin-North Irwin area saw fewer new coronavirus cases on Monday compared to a week ago, continuing a downward trend that has seen the week-to-week percentage increase drop below 10 percent for the first time since Thanksgiving, according to data from the state Department of Health.

Since the pandemic hit the region in March, there have been 2,017 confirmed coronavirus cases as of Dec. 28 in the four ZIP codes covering most of the Norwin communities, plus parts of Hempfield and Penn townships. That represents a 7% increase from the 1,846 confirmed cases as of Dec. 21, based on health department figures, but a drop from the 14% increase in the number of new confirmed cases from Dec. 14 to 21.

There were just 50 new probable covid cases from Dec. 21 to 28, rising to 708 from 658. There have been 9,639 negative coronavirus tests since the beginning of the pandemic, up from 9,355 negative test results as of Dec. 21.

In the North Huntingdon-Irwin 15642 ZIP code, which contains most of the region’s population of 35,000, there have been 1,945 confirmed cases, with 689 probable and 9,340 negative coronavirus test results.

In the Westmoreland City 15692 ZIP code, there have been 50 confirmed cases as of Dec. 28, 12 probable cases and 185 negative coronavirus test results.

In the Larimer 15647 ZIP code, there were 11 confirmed cases of covid as of Dec. 28, six probable cases and 58 negative coronavirus test results.

In the Ardara 15615 ZIP code, there were 11 confirmed cases, 1-to-4 probable cases and 56 negative test results.