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
What’s going on with all these coronavirus variants? An illustrated guide
I got the COVID-19 vaccine. What’s safe for me to do now, and what isn’t?
Here With You: COVID-19 stories
Watch our video series highlighting stories from members of our community. If you are interested in sharing your story, email Keira McGuire.
Health news
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Dan Nott for Spotlight PA
Personal data from Pa. contact tracing calls still online despite assurances it had been secured
A spreadsheet of data was still online as of Wednesday, raising questions about whether the company, Insight Global, or the state can be confident they know where all the information might be stored.
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Matt Rourke
New evidence suggests COVID-19 vaccines remain effective against variants
An analysis of blood from people who had received the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine found a lower level of neutralizing antibodies against viral variants but a strong response involving T cells.
By Joe Palca/NPR -
Eugene Hoshiko
U.S. lowers the travel risk rating for Japan, where COVID still shadows the Olympics
The change is not an enthusiastic endorsement as the guidance urges Americans to “reconsider travel to Japan,” but it puts the department closer in line with the White House’s position on the issue.By Vanessa Romo/NPR -
Matt Rourke
The highly contagious Delta variant is on the rise in the U.S.
The variant, also known as B.1.617.2, is spreading rapidly in the U.K., and has quickly become the dominant strain there, responsible for more than 60% of infections and causing surges in some parts of England.By Jane Greenhalgh/NPR -
Matt Rourke
There’s a stark red-blue divide when it comes to states’ vaccination rates
As of Tuesday, nearly 64% of U.S. adults have had at least one shot, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.By Domenico Montanaro/NPR -
Kimberly Paynter
Parents may have ‘a little bit of anxiety,’ but officials say most activities are safe for young, unvaccinated kids
Acting State Human Services Secretary Meg Snead said though indoor activities should generally be OK and it’s a good idea to give kids outdoor time, parents ultimately have to make their own decisions about what’s safe.
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Iryna Veklich
Anti-vaccine film targeted to Black Americans spreads false information
The film draws a line from the very real and disturbing history of racism and atrocities in the medical field — like the Tuskegee syphilis study — to interviews with anti-vaccine activists who warn communities of color to be suspicious of modern day vaccines.By Will Stone/NPR -
Kimberly Paynter
As more kids go back to day care and preschool, pediatricians see an uptick in visits
Dr. Tara Berman, a pediatrician at Nemours duPont Pediatrics, said many families chose not to come in over the last year as a way to minimize exposure to the coronavirus, but that led to kids becoming delayed in their wellness and vaccine schedules.By Ali McPherson/WHYY -
Matt York
FDA has approved a controversial Alzheimer’s drug
The drug is the first to show significant progress against the sticky brain plaques that are the hallmark of Alzheimer’s disease.
By Scott Hensley, and Jon Hamilton, and Laurel Wamsley/NPR -
Brett Sholtis
COVID-19 killed their brother. Misinformation about the virus divided their family.
For some people, grief is complicated by attitudes about the virus among family and friends.
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Alastair Grant
A new type of COVID-19 vaccine could debut soon
The protein subunit vaccine is based on a well-understood technology and doesn’t require special refrigeration.
By Joe Palca/NPR
