Penn-Trafford/Jeannette area logs 63 new covid cases

The Penn-Trafford-Jeannette area had 63 confirmed new covid cases in the last six days, a slight dip from the week prior, according to data from the Pennsylvania Department of Health.

Since the pandemic began in March, the six ZIP codes covering most of the three communities have seen a total of 1,549 confirmed cases as of Jan. 19, up from 1,486 on Jan. 13.

Residents of these six ZIP codes have taken a total of 9,025 coronavirus tests, 16.5% of which were positive. Since Jan. 7, 296 tests were administered, 21.3% of which were positive.

The breakdown of cases by ZIP code is:

• Jeannette, ZIP code 15644: 828 confirmed cases, 394 probable cases, 3,998 negative test results.
• Trafford, ZIP code 15085: 369 confirmed cases, 126 probable cases, 1,614 negative test results
• Harrison City: ZIP code 15636, 197 confirmed cases, 83 probable cases, 785 negative test results
• Manor, ZIP code 15665: 82 confirmed cases, 41 probable cases, 291 negative test results
• Penn Borough, ZIP code 15675: 38 confirmed cases, 28 probable cases, 196 negative test results
• Claridge, ZIP code 15623: 35 confirmed cases, 8 probable cases, 208 negative test results

A significant portion of Penn Township is grouped under the Irwin 15642 ZIP code. That ZIP code has seen a total of 2,312 confirmed cases.

McCullough Elementary School in the Penn-Trafford School District was closed Monday because of two positive coronavirus cases, the latest in a string of short-term shutdowns in a district that has seen 113 covid cases since the start of the school year.

One student and one staff member tested positive in the past 14 days, according to the district.

This was done in accordance with Pennsylvania Department of Education and Department of Health guidelines, which suggest closing school for at least three days when two or more students or staff members test positive for coronavirus. The most recent case was reported Friday.

McCullough Elementary School has seen a total of seven coronavirus cases this school year.

Westmoreland County has had a total of 17,042 confirmed cases, 6,409 probable cases, 541 covid deaths and 78,474 negative tests since the start of the pandemic.

A large spike in cases in the county began in September and peaked Dec. 10 with 747 positive cases in a single day.