Health & Wellness News

The dangerously unhealthy air quality in Lehigh Valley from smoke from Canadian wildfires has residents wearing COVID masks again.

Smoke from wildfires in Canada can be seen and smelled in much of the northeast, including the Lehigh Valley. Local pulmonologists are weighing in with what to do to avoid too much exposure.

Allentown Fire Department is warning against any outdoor fires due to dry conditions and elevated winds as a red flag warning continues for the region.

Those hitting the public pools in Allentown should do so safety says the city’s special events coordinator. Officials there want pool patrons to keep a few things in mind this summer season.

Take a look at stories throughout the week of which we are most proud, had a profound impact on readers or that you might want to look at again.

A local amputee support group continues to connect those who have lost a limb and raise money for other amputees. The Lehigh Valley Amputee Support Group held its 17th Annual Golf Tournament Friday.

An organization called 'Mom-n-PA' is providing tens of thousands of dollars worth of dental care. All you have to do is show up.

The Burn Prevention Network and Lehigh Valley Health Network educate parents about burn and fire risks to their children. What was once a packet of information will now be a video will be shown to those with newborns.

The 21st Century program is to help students with academic support and art and music enrichment.

Loneliness, isolation and social disconnect are a public health crisis in the United States. Brittany Sweeney hosts a community conversation to examine the factors that contribute to isolation — and what we can do to avoid it.

The mobile stroke unit at Lehigh Valley Health Network is expanding its reach with a new partnership. The specialized ambulance will now assist first responders in part of Berks County with neurological emergencies.

A red fox in Northampton County earlier this month became the first mammal in the Lehigh Valley to contract bird flu.

St. Luke’s University Health Network has conducted more than 120,000 virtual visits since March, including physical therapy. Elective surgeries restarted Monday, May 11, which means a big increase of people will need post-operative care.

Democratic Governor Tom Wolf has come under fire from some Republican leaders for moving too slow to reopen the state. Now a local Democrat has joined the chorus, asking the state to lift some restrictions in the Lehigh Valley quote “immediately.”

Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf fired back at county officials and other local leaders today who’ve said they’ll reopen early, despite orders to remain closed and keep full stay-at-home lockdown in place.

Most deaths from COVID-19 in Pennsylvania are among people living in nursing and personal care homes.

Face masks are now required at many stores and public places to help stop the spread of COVID-19. For people with a hearing impairment, this adds an extra challenge.

Thirteen western counties, comprising nearly 2.7 million residents and most of the Pittsburgh metropolitan area, will see relief from Gov. Tom Wolf’s most restrictive pandemic orders on movement and businesses this Friday, May 15.

Although there is cause for concern if they should become established on the continent — the so-called “Murder Hornet” is not an issue for people in the Lehigh Valley, according to experts.

The current moratorium was scheduled to end Monday but the governor has extended it to July 10. WLVR’s Tyler Pratt reports state officials are asking landlords to be patient.

Protection from evictions for renters from the state may be ending, in some areas as early as next week. Chloe Nouvelle reports on what this could mean for tenants in the Lehigh Valley.

Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf says he has a plan to create more jobs in the state while also helping to fight the spread of coronavirus.

Pennsylvanians with intellectual disabilities and autism may go without essential care if the agencies that support them don’t get an influx of cash soon from the state in the wake of the coronavirus crisis.

And as WLVR’s Tyler Pratt reports, as the state moves to reopen, high rates of cases and deaths remain in the state’s long term-care facilities.