LEHIGH VALLEY

CORONER’S REPORT: Between Jan. 1 and May 17, the Northampton County Coroner recorded 165 COVID-19 related deaths in Northampton County (136 residents/29 on-residents). As of May 3, the Lehigh County Coroner reported 66 deaths of Northampton County residents. Between the two counties, 202 deaths of Northampton County residents from COVID-19 have been reported this year.

“The COVID-19 vaccines are decreasing hospitalizations and deaths in Northampton County, but those who are not vaccinated should continue to wear facemasks and socially distance when out in public,” says County Executive Lamont McClure. “The sooner we reduce the number of infections the sooner we can fully reopen our economy.”

In 2020, the Northampton County Coroner reported 403 COVID-19 related deaths (359 residents and 44 non-residents). The Lehigh County Coroner reported 118 deaths.

PENNSYLVANIA

GOVERNOR’S POWERS: Pennsylvania voters became the first in the nation to curb their governor’s emergency powers, narrowly approving constitutional amendments proposed by Republican lawmakers angry over Democratic Governor Tom Wolf’s handling of the COVID-19 outbreak.

The vote (53 percent-47 percent) on the statewide primary ballot came as Republican lawmakers across the country have sought to roll back the emergency powers governors wielded during the COVID-19 pandemic.

One amendment ends a governor’s emergency disaster declaration after 21 days and the other gives lawmakers the sole authority to extend the declaration or end it at any time with a simple majority vote.