Westmoreland County declares state of emergency to prepare for coronavirus

Westmoreland County Commissioners declared a state of emergency Saturday morning, a move officials said will enhance government efforts to respond to the coronavirus pandemic.

The emergency declaration gives county officials the ability to quickly activate emergency personnel and pay for needed responses, county officials said during a courthouse news conference.

“Our country is faced with an unprecedented situation,” Commissioners Chairman Sean Kertes said. “Today, the county is taking proactive measures by declaring a disaster emergency as a result of the covid-19 creating a public health emergency. The declaration has the effect of temporarily suspending certain procedures to mobilize emergency response for the covid-19.”

The declaration does not restrict gatherings, but commissioners recommended groups follow guidelines set last week by Gov. Tom Wolf, who called for limiting the congregation of groups to less than 250. All gatherings in the courtyard in front of the courthouse will be prohibited, officials said.

County parks will continue to be open for the public’s use, according to commissioners.

As of Saturday morning, no coronavirus cases had been reported in Westmoreland County. According to the state Department of Health, three so far — two in Allegheny and one in Washington counties — have been discovered in southwestern Pennsylvania.

Local officials expect that to change.

Dr. Carol Fox, chief medical officer at Excela Health Westmoreland, said patients have been tested for the coronavirus at the Greensburg hospital. She declined to say how many tests were administered, and there are no plans to institute a countywide testing plan or drive-through locations.

“At this time, the number of tests available regionally are somewhat limited. That being said, we are collaborating very closely with the Department of Health and their epidemiologist to ensure that individuals who need testing can get testing so we are able to coordinate with them, and in the event we get to the point where we do not have a test kit, we would be able to access one through the Department of Health,” Fox said.

She said anyone who believes they need a test should contact their doctors.

Penn Township and Murrysville declared an emergency, as did the City of Latrobe, where city hall will be closed this week.

As part of the county’s emergency declaration, commissioners authorized Public Safety Director Roland Mertz to take appropriate actions as needed to alleviate the potential impact of the pandemic, to help restore essential public services and to take any other necessary emergency response actions.

Mertz said the county will activate its emergency command center that will be staffed around-the-clock to coordinate any first responses needed because of the pandemic.

“This is a preventative measure. There are no cases in Westmoreland County at this time. We do not want to bring on any panic,” Mertz said. “We’re trying to limit the spread of this disease, and the best course of action to limit the spread is for people to take their own personal hygiene tasks to heart, but wash your hands and don’t touch your face, but also to limit the possibility of community spread to limit your activities to small groups.”

A leadership committee that includes the county commissioners, their chiefs of staff, Mertz and other top county department heads along with Fox and members of the education and business communities will help oversee the coronavirus response.

Commissioners last week implemented a number of changes and restrictions designed to ease potential community spread of the disease.

Officials restricted visitation of inmates at the county jail and residents at Westmoreland Manor, the county-owned nursing home.

Court officials postponed jury trials through the rest of March, and commissioners asked that the public only come to the courthouse when necessary. Routine business to make payments or applications for licenses or submission of documents can be done online or through the mail, commissioners said.

County employees quarantined related to the coronavirus will receive paid leave while off the job.

“I think we can all get together and be clean and eliminate this for our area,” Commissioner Doug Chew said.

A special election on Tuesday to fill a vacancy in the 58th District of the Pennsylvania state House will go on as planned.

Kertes said voting machines will be wiped and disinfected after each ballot is cast.

Officials said cancellations related to the coronavirus along with updated information about the county’s response will be posted daily at www.co.westmoreland.pa.us.