North Huntingdon-Irwin area covid cases continue decline for the week of March 1, 2021

Joe Napsha, Tribune-Review, Greensburg, Pa.
·2 min read

Mar. 9—The number of new coronavirus cases in the North Huntingdon-Irwin-North Irwin area continued to decline during the first full week of March, with only 41 new confirmed cases from March 1 to 8, according to data the state Department of Health released on Monday.

The four ZIP codes covering North Huntingdon, Irwin, North Irwin, Westmoreland City, Ardara and Larimer saw just a 1.5% increase in confirmed cases in those seven days, increasing to 2,765 from 2,724 as of March 1, as based on the health department data. This continues a downward trend in the number of new confirmed cases and percentage of new cases that started in late January.

The case count is from the beginning of the covid pandemic that reached the region, which has a population of about 35,000 people.

There were 1,284 probable but not confirmed cases, an increase of just 26 cases. Since corona virus testing began last year, there have been 11,597 negative test results, an increase of 142 negative tests in those four ZIP codes since March 1. The decrease in negative tests results from 200 in the week from Feb. 22 to March 1, may be another marker that indicates fewer people believe they have virus symptoms severe enough to have a test.

In the North Huntingdon-Irwin-North Irwin 15642 ZIP code, there were 2,660 confirmed cases, an increase of just 40; 1,256 probable but not confirmed covid cases; and 11,229 negative test results. The 15642 ZIP code also covers parts of Penn Township and Hempfield Township, but not sections of North Huntingdon bordering Trafford or White Oak.

There were 63 confirmed covid cases and 18 probable cases in the Westmoreland City 15692 ZIP code, which was no change from March 1. There were 217 negative test results as of March 8.

In the Ardara 15615 ZIP code, there were 25 confirmed cases, five probable, the same as March 1. There were 74 negative test results, an increase of only three.

There were 17 confirmed cases in the Larimer 15647 ZIP code, an increase of just one confirmed case. There were five probable cases and 77 negative test results, virtually unchanged since last week.

The Norwin School District said it received reports from March 1 to 5 that seven students had contracted coronavirus: one in high school, one in middle school, two at Hillcrest Intermediate and one in each of three elementary schools: Hahntown, Sheridan Terrance and Sunset Valley. One Sunset Valley school employee also reported contracting the virus.

Joe Napsha is a Tribune-Review staff writer. You can contact Joe at 724-836-5252, jnapsha@triblive.com or via Twitter .