Ongoing COVID-19 coverage is presented in part by Transforming Health — a project examining the future of health in America and in Central Pennsylvania. Transforming Health is an educational partnership of WITF, WellSpan Health and Capital BlueCross.
COVID-19 information and advice
Dr. Fauci says the risks from the Delta variant underscore the importance of vaccines
By Leila Fadel/NPR
What’s going on with all these coronavirus variants? An illustrated guide
Health news
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Seth Wenig
The delta variant will drive a steep rise in U.S. COVID deaths, a new model shows
The main projection shows a steady slope upwards to the peak in October, and then a steady slope back down.
By Rob Stein and Selena Simmons-Duffin/NPR -
Marcio Jose Sanchez
Public health experts call on CDC to endorse masking indoors
A growing chorus of doctors and experts say the CDC let up on masking too early.
By Pien Huang/NPR -
Commonwealth Media Services
Nursing homes would provide more direct care to residents under proposed Pa. rule
The state currently requires nursing homes to provide residents with 2.7 hours of direct care each day, despite a much higher federal recommendation.
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Mario Tama
Worried about breakthrough COVID cases? Here’s what to know
Fully vaccinated Olympic athletes and members of Congress have tested positive for the virus. Should you be worried? How common are breakthrough infections and are they rising?
By Selena Simmons-Duffin and Rob Stein/NPR -
Getty Images
Everyone should wear a mask in schools, vaccinated or not, U.S. pediatricians say
The American Academy of Pediatrics released updated guidance for schools on Monday, recommending universal masking for students over the age of 2.
By Clare Lombardo/NPR -
Office of Gov. Tom Wolf
Gov. Wolf says companies should encourage employees to get vaccinated
Wolf said while business leaders should talk to their employees about getting shots, he doesn’t think they should mandate vaccinations.
By Tyler Pratt/WLVR -
Allen J. Schaben
The life cycle of a COVID-19 vaccine lie
Where do myths about coronavirus vaccines come from and why do they spread? NPR takes a look at how rumors about vaccines and fertility reached the public earlier this year.
By Geoff Brumfiel/NPR -
Matthew Brown
Pitt study rejects idea that marijuana is a ‘gateway drug’
Researchers looked at state-level aggregate data from California, Maine, Massachusetts and Nevada, which all legalized marijuana at the start of 2017.
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Emma Lee
Delta variant is spreading fast and new cases are rising. Is it time to mask up again?
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported Friday that new cases are up by nearly 70% in just a week.
By Allison Aubrey and Selena Simmons-Duffin/NPR -
U.S. COVID deaths are rising again. Experts call it a ‘pandemic of the unvaccinated’
The seven-day average of new cases has increased by nearly 70% to almost 30,000 per day
By Becky Sullivan/NPR -
Ross D. Franklin
Amid nationwide blood shortage, area hospitals face reduced supply
The Central Pa. blood bank has less than half the blood it had on hand prior to the pandemic
