The most recent state data show fewer than 250 people in the Penn-Trafford Star’s coverage area have had confirmed cases of coronavirus since the start of the international pandemic in March, according to the Pennsylvania Department of Health.
The health department on Monday released data showing 242 confirmed cases of the virus in the five ZIP codes that comprise the Star’s coverage area. The health department keeps a count of coronavirus cases and test results for communities based on ZIP codes.
The largest number of cases, 124, originated in the 15644 ZIP code, which includes Jeannette and parts of Penn Township.
The 15085 ZIP code, which encompasses Trafford, shows 50 confirmed cases.
There have been 44 confirmed cases in the 15623 ZIP code, which includes the Harrison City neighborhood.
The Manor (15665) and Claridge (15623) ZIP codes have seen 17 and 7 cases, respectively.
The data also show 3,925 negative test results in those five areas.
In local schools, multiple Penn-Trafford buildings have had to close due to positive coronavirus test results, including the high school this past Friday.
Three other Penn-Trafford schools were closed after several coronavirus cases were reported. Harrison Park, which has two positive cases, closed Friday. It will reopen Oct. 14. Sunrise Elementary, which has four cases, will remain closed until Oct. 22 and Level Green, which has eight positive cases, will remain closed until Oct. 15.
According to the state’s covid-19 tracking website, in Westmoreland County there have been 2,694 confirmed cases, 210 probable cases, 46,301 negative tests and 64 deaths since the outbreak began.
Despite a small spike in late June and early July, Westmoreland County’s daily confirmed case counts have remained relatively low until a sharp uptick beginning in late September. Since then, the county has set a new daily record multiple times in the past seven days.
There are 37 county residents in the hospital for the virus, four of them on a ventilator.
