Westmoreland added to stay-at-home order

By KRISTIE LINDEN

klinden@yourmvi.com

Westmoreland County was added to the list of counties in Pennsylvania under a stay-at-home order Friday afternoon.

In the Mon Valley, Westmoreland joins Allegheny county under the order issued by Gov. Tom Wolf, which took effect at 8 p.m. Friday and will last through April 6. 

Figures released Friday by the state Department of Health showed 30 reported cases of coronavirus in Westmoreland, 14 in Washington, nine in Fayette and 158 in Allegheny.

Allegheny County has reported two deaths. There have been 2,218 cases across 50 counties and 22 deaths statewide.

The state total jumped by 531 positive coronavirus cases from Thursday to Friday. The majority of cases, 40%, affect people ages 25 to 49 in Pennsylvania. Those ages 50 to 64 make up nearly 28%. 

“We’re just following what the governor says. It’s really essential employees they want going out. Unless you have to be out, they do not want you outside,” said Westmoreland Commissioners Chairman Sean Kertes, who said the decision to impose the order came from the governor’s office and was not requested by local officials.

Westmoreland County government will continue to operate with a reduced staff. Commissioners announced about 450 government employees would be furloughed starting April 4.

Kertes said county parks will remain open for walking, but playground equipment will be cordoned off during the ordered lockdown.

Roland “Bud” Mertz, Westmoreland’s public safety director, said he welcomes Wolf’s decision.

“It’s part of the process of mitigating the spread of disease and it will help me,” Mertz said. “The biggest problem is, people don’t obey these orders — and that puts the ambulance systems and the hospitals at risk of being incapable to keep up with this.

“Look at Europe, look at New York, and look at southeastern Pennsylvania. Let’s use some common sense. The fact is social distancing works.”

Stay at home

Eight other counties were added to the stay-at-home order Friday, including Butler, bringing the total to 19 of the state’s 67 counties. 

The order continues until April 6.

Under the order, people can only leave their residence for tasks that are essential to maintain their health and safety, or that of their family and household members, including pets.

People are allowed to get necessary supplies for themselves or their families and to care for family members in another household. Also exempt are people who work at an essential or life-sustaining business.

To report a noncompliant business, contact your local law enforcement agency’s non-emergency number or the nearest state police station. Do not call 911 or the Department of Community and Economic Development to file reports.

Essential operations include health care service, life-sustaining services for low-income residents, news media, law enforcement and religious institutions, among others.

Washington County

In Washington County, Coroner Tim Warco said he was concerned about the community and his partners in the field — EMS, police, firefighters, funeral directors, removal services and everyone working on home deaths and potentially exposed to the virus.

“There has been a lack of any kind of concern at the state level, however,” Warco said, adding the department of health has not provided guidance to coroners and medical examiners who deal with home deaths.

“The department of health and state leadership have also not provided us with a means to perform testing, and have implied that we may have no role at all,” Warco said.

The coroner said his office, along with the Pennsylvania State Coroners’ Association has proactively sought direction from the state in terms of a coroner’s role in deaths were there are symptoms of coronavirus. 

“We continue to seek this guidance, just as we continue to support our first responders,” Warco said.

Allegheny County

Of the 158 reported cases in Allegheny County, 25 either are or have been hospitalized and two have died. 

The majority of patients, 42%, are in 25 to 49 age bracket and another 26% are in the 50 to 64 range. The numbers are almost equally divided between men and women.

The Allegheny County Health Department traces the contacts of people who have tested positive and recommends self-quarantine when needed. 

ACHD strongly urges all people in Allegheny County to stay at home to slow the spread of the virus in the community.

Visit www.pa.gov/guides/responding-to-covid-19 for the most up-to-date information in Pennsylvania.

Trib Total Media contributed to this story.