Westmoreland County covid-19 cases jump by 43; nursing homes account for 40% of cases

Westmoreland County added 43 new cases of patients with covid-19 as of Saturday morning, for a 13.5% increase from the previous day, state data show.

The county’s total number of confirmed and probable cases has reached 360, up from 317 as of Friday and 307 on Thursday, the state health department reports.

About 40% of Westmoreland County’s cases involve residents and employees of nursing homes and other long-term care facilities.

At least 27 deaths can be attributed to covid-19, according to Westmoreland County Coroner Ken Bacha, whose tally has been higher than the state data reported in recent days and weeks. Those who died include 14 men and 13 women between ages 61 and 109.

The coroner reported no new deaths on Saturday.

The state reported at least 19 covid-19 deaths in Westmoreland County. All 19 deaths were attributed to nursing homes.

RELATED: Pennsylvania’s covid-19 cases crest 40K; 60% of deaths in nursing homes, senior living facilities

State health officials have said they’re working to reduce backlogs in reporting and other issues that have contributed to discrepancies between local and state figures.

Nearly 4,000 people in Westmoreland County have tested negative for the coronavirus disease.

State Health Secretary Dr. Rachel Levine said that officials are working on ramping up testing efforts statewide, including on people with only mild symptoms, as part of the Wolf administration’s plan to reopen the state gradually.

Nearly 153,000 Pennsylvanians have tested negative — suggesting that less than 2% of the state’s population has been tested for covid-19.

RELATED: Here’s what happens in each of Pennsylvania’s reopening phases