Westmoreland County election employee tests positive for coronavirus

An employee of the Westmoreland County Election Bureau has tested positive for coronavirus, the county announced this weekend.

The employee, who last worked in the election bureau office on Wednesday, is under quarantine, according to county officials. The county is using its emergency response plan to deal with the covid-19 concern including contact tracing.

“The Westmoreland County Election Bureau is cleaned and disinfected daily with rigorous protocols, including full-office fogging,” county officials said in a press release. “The office remains open to serve the voters of Westmoreland County with non-exposed employees serving the public and social distancing and other CDC guidelines enforced.”

The Pennsylvania Department of Health on Saturday reported 70 new cases of coronavirus in Westmoreland County.

Saturday’s addition puts the seven-day average at 71 cases; the county reported 68 cases on Friday. The high of the week was on Wednesday when 91 cases were posted.

Two additional deaths were reported, increasing the death toll to 103.

The Pennsylvania Department of Health reported that Westmoreland County had its deadliest reporting week after logging 20 new deaths since last Sunday, including six on Thursday and five on Wednesday. The previous weekly high of 12 was posted last week.

According to a recent article in Scientific American, “How to Avoid COVID while Voting,” experts advise that voters check to make sure there are proper infection control measures in place.

In the article, Lenora Campbell, dean of the College of Health and Human Sciences at North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University, said poll workers should have a plan for how to deal with any voters who might refuse to wear a mask.

Experts also advise if voters have concerns, they might consider going to the polls during off-peak times.