Westmoreland County sees biggest jump in reported coronavirus cases

Westmoreland County saw its highest single-day spike in covid-19 cases Thursday adding 148 new cases, according to the Pennsylvania Department of Health. The county also recorded one death.

The county had not seen more than 90 cases reported in a single day, which happened Monday. Westmoreland County’s seven-day average is 85 cases, the highest it’s been since the first cases were reported in March. The county’s seven-day total cases of 593 is also the highest it’s been all year.

The county’s total cases are now 3,201 with 2,926 confirmed and 275 probable since the first cases were reported in March.

Westmoreland County has seen 902 cases in October already, giving it the highest monthly total of coronavirus cases. September saw 462 cases reported in the county, while July held the previous high with 763 cases reported.

The death toll in the county is now 65; there have been nine deaths reported this month. In September, there were seven deaths reported.

According to the state covid-19 dashboard, 36 Westmoreland County residents are hospitalized for covid-19, with four patients on a ventilator.

County officials reported Wednesday that five more residents at Westmoreland Manor in Hempfield tested positive for coronavirus. Cases at the county-owned nursing home have steadily increased since the middle of September and now 117 residents, or more than a third of those who live there, have tested positive.