County cases at 265; region has five deaths
Two in nursing home test positive
The number of COVID19 cases in Pennsylvania and Western Pennsylvania continued to climb on Sunday, and Lawrence County reported its first death as a result of the viral disease, according to numbers released Sunday by the state health department.
In Allegheny County, that county’s health department said it had 265 confirmed cases of the disease, up 46 cases from Saturday’s total of 219. Of those cases, the county said, 35 have been or are currently hospitalized.
County officials said the disease was almost split evenly among the genders — 133 females and 132 males had been diagnosed with COVID-19.
The largest age group to be affected was those between 25-49 years old, who at 120 cases represent 45% of the county’s total. Those aged 50-64 had 74 cases (28%) followed by those 65 and older (14%).
The Pennsylvania Department of Health said Sunday that the number of COVID-19-related deaths was 38, up from 34 on Saturday. The total number of cases reached 3,394, up from 2,751.
Of the deaths, five — two in Allegheny County, two in Butler County and one in Lawrence County — were located in Western Pennsylvania.
In Lawrence, the coroner’s office confirmed the death and said the patient was hospitalized at UPMC Jameson in New Castle. Officials have not released details about the person’s age or gender.
Dan Vogler, a Lawrence County commissioner, said authorities were made aware of the death on Friday.
“It’s very unfortunate and very sad,” Mr. Vogler said. “I truly hope this is the only [death] we experience in our county. It reemphasizes the need for everyone to pay attention and take seriously the advice given by medical professionals so that we do all we can to minimize exposure.” Mr. Vogler also said a county employee who works in one of the offices associated with the courthouse tested positive for the coronavirus that causes COVID-19.
That employee has since been sent home to selfquarantine. The other employees in the office also have been sent home.
Out of privacy concerns, Mr. Vogler would not identify the specific office that was affected. Other work at the courthouse had “already been curtailed,” he said.
Despite the recent death, Mr. Vogler said, there are encouraging signs that Lawrence County residents are heeding the calls to stay at home.
“If you look at the call volume at our 911 center, it has actually declined,” Mr. Vogler said. “That’s indicative, I think, of people staying inside and in their homes. So there’s fewer traffic accidents ... . On my way from home to the courthouse, I see less vehicle traffic, and ... businesses and restaurants are adhering to the governor’s orders, and retail establishments are closed.”
Overall, COVID-19 is being reported in 58 of Pennsylvania’s 67 counties. Here’s how the cases are dispersed in Western Pennsylvania: Armstrong, three; Beaver, 28; Butler, 47; Cambria, one; Clarion, one; Erie, seven; Fayette, 10; Franklin, 11; Greene, six; Indiana, two; Lawrence, eight; Mercer, seven; Somerset, two; Washington, 24; and Westmoreland, 47.
St. Barnabas
St. Barnabas Nursing Home in Richland said two of its residents are among those in Allegheny that have tested positive for COVID-19. According to a news release from the nursing home Sunday, the two patients have been quarantined.
It was not made clear how the two people contracted the virus. Staff who had contact with the patients were screened and showed no symptoms.
The nursing home has been restricting visitors since March 12.