Westmoreland County to use $7.7 million to cope with coronavirus

Westmoreland commissioners on Tuesday earmarked more than $7.7 million in federal stimulus money to pay for staff salaries at the county jail and to purchase equipment needed to keep government operating amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.

The federal money is part of the $31.5 million allocated earlier this year from state officials as part of relief efforts to assist local small businesses, nonprofit agencies and local municipalities to help cover costs associated with the pandemic.

Up to $10 million from that pool of cash was set aside for government spending, including about $2 million in grants expected to be awarded later this year to municipalities.

The county portion of the spending will include money paid to front line workers, jail guards and other employees at Westmoreland County Prison, which in the last week has seen an explosion of cases.

As of Tuesday, 36 inmates and four guards have tested positive for the virus — an increase of 33 cases this week.

Commissioners also said $199,000 was allocated to install 24 negative pressure cells at the jail.

In addition to the jail wages, commissioners said more than $1.3 million will be used to purchase computer equipment and software to allow for enhanced teleworking by county staff.

“We don’t know how long covid will be around, so we need this tech to do more virtual work,” Commissioner Sean Kertes said.

Another $57,000 will be used to buy personal protective equipment (PPE) for county workers. Throughout the pandemic, the county has used vast amounts of gowns, face masks and other supplies at Westmoreland Manor, where since mid-September, 112 residents and 33 staffers have tested positive for coronavirus.

Commissioner Gina Cerilli said nurses and other staff at the Manor have been using up to 8,000 pieces of PPE every day since the current outbreak started.

Officials also set aside more than $47,000 to buy new office equipment such as chairs, desks and tables used at the courthouse for public meetings and other events. Kertes said the equipment currently used is hard to clean and sanitize and the new furniture will be safer for the public.

The covid relief funds must be spent by year’s end.

Commissioners in September awarded more than 260 small businesses a total of $4.3 million in grants from the federal money.

Grants are expected to be awarded to nonprofit entities later this month, officials said.