COVID-19 News

Coronavirus cases have spiked over the past few weeks — nationally and locally — putting people at risk for long COVID. The condition can have people feeling tired and sick for more than three months.

The Wicked Chef, a fast-casual restaurant serving sandwiches, salads and sides, reopened July 2 after closing due to the pandemic.

County Executive Lamont McClure said the closings mark the end of a significant chapter in the county’s COVID-19 response. More than 3.5 million cases and 50,000 deaths in Pennsylvania have been attributed to COVID since 2020.

WLVR's Megan Frank talks with journalists Stephanie Sigafoos and Brittany Sweeney.

The medication used to treat COVID-19 is widely available, but underused for treatment. Although it’s no longer free through the government, most insurances still cover the drug.

A lack of educators, a retiring generation, and a pandemic that produced stress and burnout all have contributed to the shortage of health care workers, such as nurses. Lehigh Valley Health Network and St. Luke's University Health Network are both focused on attracting new talent.

Early education advocates say there has been a slow erosion of the number of programs, workers and classroom slots in the Lehigh Valley, and across Pennsylvania, since federal funding expired last year.

Health systems in Philadelphia are choosing to bring back mask mandates. St. Luke’s University Health Network and Lehigh Valley Health Network are weighing in on what's happening locally.

Is it COVID-19, RSV, or the flu? Doctors are saying it could be any of the three or even whooping cough. Respiratory illnesses are on the rise following the holiday season and there may not be a reprieve for a while.

Bethlehem Mayor J. William Reynolds said Bethlehem's strong fiscal position should allow it to continue grants funded by the American Rescue Plan, even after the federal money runs out.

A delta variant COVID-19 outbreak at the Northampton County Prison is raising questions about vaccine mandates.

State election officials say many counties are having a difficult time attracting poll workers for upcoming elections.

Northampton County Prison is now requiring vaccinations for all outside company employees, since, after months of low COVID-19 case numbers, infections in the jail are rising.

New data released by the state Health Department shows COVID-19 vaccines have managed to protect against illness, hospitalization and death in the vast majority of Pennsylvanians.

State health officials are ramping up efforts to get more people vaccinated in Pennsylvania where just over 50% are fully vaccinated.

Pennsylvania’s Republican-controlled House of Representatives is mulling a legislative challenge to the Wolf administration’s latest mask mandate for schools. A group of state senators, meanwhile, is readying a bill to change the state’s constitution to prevent those mandates.

BETHLEHEM, Pa. - Lehigh University is making adjustments to “health and safety measures” as more students test positive for COVID-19. As of Sept. 8, the…

Whitehall-Coplay Superintendent Robert Steckel said they’re “staying the course” with their COVID-19 health and safety plan, but making adjustments for outside mandates such as the Wolf administration’s school masking requirement which went into effect on Sept. 7.

The Lehigh County jail has held two voluntary mass clinics with the Johnson & Johnson vaccine since May, putting shots into 322 arms. Corrections Director Janine Donate said now they’ve switched strategies: they are waiting until they get enough inmates interested - about four or five - to use up a vial of vaccine.

Breakthrough coronavirus cases occur when a fully vaccinated person contracts COVID-19. Though these cases are rare, health experts say some are to be expected.

Next month, anyone applying to be a permanent U.S resident, known as green card holders, will have to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19.

School districts across Pennsylvania are preparing to enforce a masking order handed down by Secretary of Health Dr. Alison Beam.