The Pennsylvania Department of Health reported 4,746 new coronavirus cases on Thursday.Itâs the fourth day in a row the stateâs case count has gone up.Pennsylvania is one of a handful of states seeing the greatest surges in cases and hospitalizations. Itâs very concerning. I think the fourth wave of COVID is clearly here, and thatâs whatâs going on here in Lancaster and in Pennsylvania, said Dr. Joseph Kontra, of Lancaster General Health.Kontra points to a number of factors for the increase, including the spread of more contagious and potentially harmful strains of the coronavirus. Itâs not only the U.K. variant thatâs around, but we also know the New York variant is here. I think that combination of things, the population density and the fact that we are opening up a bit, Kontra said.Vaccines are proving effective against the new variants.But doctors are seeing more children and younger people testing positive for COVID-19.A group of Elizabe