Westmoreland County saw 138 new coronavirus cases on Wednesday, the second highest total since the pandemic began in March.
The new cases — 89 confirmed and 49 probable — bring the county’s total to 5,431, according to the Pennsylvania Department of Health.
The county’s previous of 148 was set on Oct. 15. It’s also the second straight day with more than 100 new cases.
Six new deaths were reported, bringing the county’s total to 129. It’s the third time the county’s high of six deaths has been reported, following May 18 and Oct. 29. The county’s death rate per 100,000 people rose from 35.1 to 36.8.
Wednesday’s PCR test positivity rate — the percentage of PCR tests that come back positive — in Westmoreland County was 19.78%.
According to the state’s covid-19 dashboard, there are currently 62 coronavirus patients hospitalized in the county, a rise of six from Tuesday’s 56. The county has 88 ventilators, with 18 in use, but only six by covid-19 patients.
