Weekly spread of covid in Norwin area less than 1% again, as of May 18, 2021

For the second consecutive week, there was a less than 1% increase in the weekly rate of transmission of coronavirus for residents in the North Huntingdon-North Irwin-Irwin area, the smallest percentage increase since October, according to the state Department of Health.

There were 24 additional confirmed cases of covid from May 10 - 17, equal to a .7% increase in the spread of the virus in the four ZIP codes comprising the Norwin area. There have been 3,255 positive covid cases in the area since the pandemic began in March 2020, based on health department data. The decrease from 28 new cases reported from May 3 - 10, followed by just 24 cases from May 10 - 17, marks four consecutive weeks in the decline of covid cases.

There were 1,659 probable but not confirmed cases, an increase of 17 cases in the North Huntingdon-Irwin-North Irwin area, which has about 35,000 people. The four ZIP codes do not follow municipal boundaries and cover parts of Hempfield and Penn townships, but not sections of North Huntingdon bordering White Oak and Trafford.

In the same area, there were 12,800 negative test results. Some residents may have had more than one negative test result.

In the North Huntingdon-Irwin-North Irwin 15642 ZIP code, there were 3,144 confirmed cases, an increase of 24 over the past week; 1,621 probable cases, 16 more than last week; and 12,342 negative test results, an increase of 59 since May 10.

The Westmoreland City 15692 ZIP code had 67 confirmed covid cases, the same as last week, and 22 probable cases, one more than last week. There have been 235 negative test results.

In the Ardara 15615 ZIP code, there were 27 confirmed cases and eight probable cases, the same as last week. There were 81 negative test results, one more than last week.

The Larimer 15647 ZIP code had 17 confirmed cases and eight probable cases, the same as last week, and 83 negative test results, two more than last week.