Westmoreland Manor adds 1 coronavirus case, bringing total to 137

One additional resident at Westmoreland Manor has tested positive for coronavirus, bringing the total number of cases at the county-owned nursing home in Hempfield to 137.

A total of 105 residents and 32 staff members have contracted the virus.

Two infected residents have died, the county announced this week. One was identified as Ed Gavlak, 84. The other has not been identified.

Most of the cases remain asymptomatic, according to the county. Four residents are currently hospitalized — the same number as in the county’s previous update on Wednesday.

The Manor has become a local flashpoint for the virus. Nearly a third of residents have tested positive.

County commissioners last week appointed Assistant Administrator Abby Testa as acting interim administrator to replace Angela Knauff, who was hired as administrator in February 2019

Knauff was not a county employee and was on the payroll of Premier Healthcare Resources, the private Penn Township-based firm hired to operate the nursing home.

Officials did not give a reason for Knauff’s departure or Testa’s appointment.

Commissioners in September called in the Pennsylvania National Guard to assist with testing at the Manor. Though they originally were called for only a few days, the Guard is expected to stay at the Manor until Monday.

Officials have not said how the outbreak started. In-person visitation was resumed in September, a few days before it was discovered. Visitation was prohibited again once the first cases were spotted.

All staff and residents that tested negative for the virus will be retested every 3 to 7 days until the Manor is coronavirus-free for at least two weeks, according to county officials.