Westmoreland County’s seven-day average of new coronavirus cases (90) remained in double digits for the fourth straight day after averaging triple-digit new cases every day from Nov. 12 through Jan. 30.
The county on Wednesday reported 115 additional covid-19 cases, as well as four deaths, according to the Pennsylvania Department of Health.
Those new cases — 45 confirmed and 70 probable — raise the county’s total to 24,998. The county’s death total rose to 614.
According to state Health Department data, almost 40% of the county’s deaths are associated with nursing and personal care homes (243). Across 49 facilities, there have been 1,911 cases among residents and 261 cases among employees.
Westmoreland County’s death rate of 176 per 100,000 people remains in the middle of the pack among the state’s 67 counties, and it’s fourth-lowest locally behind Washington (113.1), Allegheny (127.9) and Armstrong (174.6). Pike County has the lowest in the state at 78.8, while Mifflin is highest at 335.9.
According to the state’s covid-19 dashboard, there are currently 140 coronavirus patients hospitalized in the county, down one from Tuesday’s 141. The county has 96 ventilators, with 18 in use, six by covid-19 patients. There are eight coronavirus patients in Westmoreland County intensive care units, with 40% of county ICU beds available.
