Westmoreland County back in 'substantial' virus risk category as cases skyrocket statewide
Last week it appeared Westmoreland County’s coronavirus surge might by on the decline, with its transmission risk dropping just under the threshold that divide a “substantial” risk from a “moderate” one on the state’s Early Warning Monitoring System.
That appearance was an illusion. Cases again spiked, and the previous week’s numbers were not as low as was first reported.
Westmoreland County’s virus incidence rate for the 7-day period ending Nov. 12 was 144.3, well over the threshold of 100 that marks a “substantial” risk of virus transmission — the highest-risk category on the state’s monitoring system.
The incidence rate measures the rate of new cases in a given population. A rate 144.3 means that about 0.14% of county residents contracted coronavirus during the 7-day period.
The previous week’s rate was initially reported at 99.8 — barely under the “substantial” mark — but that figure was revised and now stands at 100.7.
These revisions are fairly common, according to state Department of Health spokeswoman April Hutcheson.
“There can be a lag,” Hutcheson said. “If there were tests that were taken during that week that came in the following week, those numbers would be updated.”
Westmoreland County is far from alone. In late October, it had the 7th-highest incidence rate in the state. Now it’s not even in the top 50. The state reports 60 of Pennsylvania’s 67 counties are at a substantial transmission risk.
Allegheny County’s incidence rate is 138.7.
Westmoreland County Public Safety Director Roland “Bud” Mertz said officials are monitoring the surge, but protocols remain much the same as at the beginning of the pandemic. “We’re busy, and it’s a lot of work, seven days a week basically, but we’re still tracking all that,” he said.
The most important thing is making sure ambulance services and hospitals are able to handle any increase in cases, he said.
“Right now, the (emergency medial services) calls are up slightly, but it has not got to that overwhelming position yet,” he said.
He reiterated the advice that has been in place since March — that people stay home whenever possible and avoid gatherings to slow the spread.
“There is no vaccine as of yet, and people need to make wise choices with what they do in their life to prevent (the virus) from spreading, because it is a domino effect,” Mertz said.
The state Department of Health recommends school districts switch to fully remote learning when the incidence rate is substantial — advice that most Westmoreland County districts have opted to disregard.
However, the rising case number prompted several local schools to close.
Greensburg Salem School District’s three elementary schools are closed this week after three faculty members tested positive for the virus.
Penn Middle School will be closed through Wednesday because of five active covid-19 cases at the school.
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