Health & Wellness News

The Bethlehem Running Festival half marathon and half marathon relay were Sunday. It was the second day of the festival, bringing thousands to the SteelStacks campus.

The inaugural Bethlehem Running Festival's first day brought a 5k and 10k race back to the Steelstacks campus and the City of Bethlehem. Runners embarked on a running tour of the city through fall foliage and braving the hills on the route. Organizers say they are happy with the event and excited for Sunday's half marathon.

WLVR's Megan Frank talks with reporters Ryan Gaylor and Jason Addy.

Lehigh Valley Health Network held their annual Halloween party at the Children's Hospital. More than 100 children were expected to attend.

There are wide disparities on how much individual counties received.

The discussion comes after Lehigh County Controller Mark Pinsley in August released a report that raises concerns about how child abuse accusations are handled in the county.

Allentown officials and City Center representatives have said the new zoning regulations will lay the "framework" for the developer's ambitious plans.

The Allentown School District held Unity Day events at its 15 elementary schools on Wednesday. The message at each focused on bullying prevention, as October is National Bullying Prevention Month.

Several cases of the disease have been identified since school began in August.

The festival, scheduled Oct. 21-22, will feature 5K and 10K races on Saturday and half marathon and half marathon relay races on Sunday. A half marathon relay also allows for a three-person team to run two five-mile legs and one 5K leg.

Lehigh County Commissioners' Human Services Commission will discuss the county’s Office of Children and Youth Services (OCYS) at its meeting on Wednesday.

A bill aimed at allowing nurse practitioners to practice on their own is being touted in the state capital. State Sen. Lisa Boscola was in Harrisburg Tuesday showing support for Senate Bill 25 which would allow Nurse Practitioners full practice authority.

The Lehigh Valley may run out of intensive care hospital beds as early as next week, as coronavirus cases continue to spike in the region.

Current state guidelines say schools should move to 100% virtual instruction in counties with “substantial transmission” rates. But many Lehigh Valley schools remain open, despite meeting that standard.

More than half the Commonwealth’s counties were moved to the high level of COVID alert - known as substantial spread. Local health experts say they are quote “praying” hospitalizations don't rise to the levels seen in the spring.

The post went viral on Facebook, falsely claiming that hunters are required to wear $30 fluorescent orange face masks featuring the state Game Commission's logo.

“We need a relief bill right now, for food security, more money for medicaid, more money for state and local governments...We should start that now, long before there’s a new administration," said Senator Bob Casey.

Health officials are calling it the fall resurgence of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Lehigh Valley Restaurant Owners Alliance held a rally Monday afternoon on Main Street Bethlehem in response to the governor's recent veto of legislation to further open up those establishments.

Pennsylvania US Senator Bob Casey says a rushed confirmation of Supreme Court nominee Judge Amy Coney Barrett could impact healthcare for tens of thousands of people in the Lehigh Valley.

State lawmakers are temporarily suspending in-person activities at the Capitol after a Republican lawmaker tested positive for the coronavirus.

New COVID-19 cases continue to rise in Pennsylvania. State Health Secretary Dr. Rachel Levine says she is nervous about the impacts of COVID-19 in the fall and winter seasons.

The state has completed baseline testing for COVID-19 at nursing homes, and is planning to expand to other groups.

WLVR Community Correspondent Genesis Ortega spoke about the higher risk group disparities with Lehigh Valley Health Network Doctor, Orlando Penaloza.