Westmoreland County adds 5 new covid-19 cases

Westmoreland County’s covid-19 cases increased by five from Saturday to Sunday, bringing the total number of people who have tested positive for the virus to 401, state officials said.

Nursing homes and other senior care facilities are linked to about 40% of the county’s cases.

The state health department reported 129 cases among residents and 30 cases among employees at eight nursing and personal care homes. Of the 26 deaths reported by the state, 23 are connected to such facilities. Data is not available on the cases and deaths tied to specific facilities.

The state is still reporting fewer deaths than Westmoreland County Coroner Ken Bacha, who continued to report 30 deaths related to covid-19 on Sunday. Bacha’s data hasn’t been updated since April 27.

Bacha said the deaths occurred in people between the ages of 61 and 109, with the average age being 83. There were 14 men and 16 women. All were white. The majority of deaths were linked to nursing homes.

More than 4,800 people in Westmoreland County have tested negative for the virus.