As virus flares globally, new strategies target hot spots
NEW YORK — After entire nations were shut down during the first surge of the coronavirus earlier this year, some countries and U.S. states are trying more targeted measures as cases rise again around the world, especially in Europe and the Americas. New York’s new round of virus shutdowns zeroes...
Millions more virus rapid tests but are results reported?
WASHINGTON — After struggling to ramp up coronavirus testing, the U.S. can now screen several million people daily, thanks to a growing supply of rapid tests. But the boom comes with a new challenge: keeping track of the results. All U.S. testing sites are legally required to report their results,...
WHO: Study finds 4 drugs have little to no effect on covid
GENEVA — The U.N. health agency says the world’s largest randomized trial of covid-19 treatments found “conclusive evidence” that remdesivir, a drug used to treat U.S. President Donald Trump when he fell ill, has little or no effect on severe cases. The World Health Organization announced Friday the long-awaited results...
U.S. testing 3 drugs to tamp down coronavirus
WASHINGTON — U.S. government officials are launching a new study testing three drugs to tamp down an overactive response by the immune system that can cause severe illness or death in people with covid-19. The U.S. National Institutes of Health says the study will enroll 2,100 hospitalized adults with moderate...
Widespread recalls affect popular diabetes medication Metformin
A common diabetes medication is in the midst of widespread national recalls after researchers found a contaminant that could potentially cause cancer, but local experts say there are plenty of alternative options available for those who take the drug. Metformin is used to control blood sugar levels in patients with...
Brett Keisel’s ‘Shear Da Beard’ event memorialized with a mural
Ten years. $1 million raised. Former Steelers defensive end Brett Keisel is no longer growing hair on his face for the annual “Shear Da Beard” charity event. But the fan favorite will be remembered for all the times he allowed his teammates and other celebrities to be his barber. A...
Possible safety issue spurs pause of Eli Lilly’s covid-19 antibody study
Independent monitors have paused enrollment in a study testing the covid-19 antiviral drug remdesivir plus an experimental antibody therapy being developed by Eli Lilly that’s similar to a treatment President Trump recently received. Lilly confirmed Tuesday that the study had been paused “out of an abundance of caution” and said...
Pa. health officials ask residents to cooperate with contact tracers
Pennsylvania health officials on Tuesday asked residents to cooperate in contact tracing efforts, as the state experiences a rise in covid-19 infections. In a news release, the Department of Health encouraged residents to download the Covid Alert PA mobile app and participate in case investigations. “As Pennsylvania experiences increases in...
2nd covid-19 vaccine trial paused over unexplained illness
NEW BRUNSWICK, N.J. — A late-stage study of Johnson & Johnson’s covid-19 vaccine candidate has been paused while the company investigates whether a study participant’s “unexplained illness” is related to the shot. The company said in a statement Monday evening that illnesses, accidents and other so-called adverse events “are an...
U.N. warns against pursuing herd immunity to stop coronavirusVideo
LONDON — The head of the World Health Organization warned against the idea that herd immunity might be a realistic strategy to stop the pandemic, dismissing such proposals as “simply unethical.” At a media briefing on Monday, WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said health officials typically aim to achieve herd...
UPMC Magee-Womens Hospital’s clinic specializes in patients with disabilitiesVideo
Joycelyn Banks gets off the lift of the accessible van. She maneuvers her way into the hospital lobby, onto an elevator and gets off at her floor. Banks enters the doctor’s office, where she’s greeted by registered nurse Jennifer Stephens. The two enter the patient room. Banks gets onto an...
‘Miracle baby’: Greensburg boy receives heart transplantVideo
For years, Gene Salvio had two suitcases sitting in his Greensburg home — one filled with summer clothes, the other with winter clothes — in case he got the call that his now 11-year-old son, Nico, would need to go to UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh for a heart transplant....
Keep trick-or-treaters safe with simple safety precautionsVideo
In a normal year, parents’ biggest worry about Halloween might be how to keep the kiddos from gorging on too much candy. This year, they have to decide whether to let them trick-or-treat at all. Some municipalities are making that decision for parents by canceling annual designated trick-or-treat times. Citing...
CDC expands covid risk warning to include overweight people
NEW YORK — The link between extra pounds and severe covid-19 grew stronger as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said that people who are merely overweight, not just the obese, may be at high risk of serious disease from the infection. The warning, posted on the agency’s website...
‘Empire’ star Taraji P. Henson hailed for mental health work
“Empire” star Taraji P. Henson has enjoyed wealth, celebrity, a Golden Globe win and an Academy Award nomination. But behind the scenes, she’s battled anxiety and depression. On Thursday, the 50-year-old actress and filmmaker — who has spoken publicly and powerfully about her private struggles — was honored by the...
Clorox develops device for classrooms to detect ‘illness indicators’Video
The Clorox Co. said today it has developed an experimental device to be used in school classrooms that can detect “illness indicators” in real time. “Each year, schools face the challenge of preventing one cough or sneeze from turning into a cold or flu outbreak. For schools that have decided...
FDA releases high coronavirus vaccine standards despite White House resistance
WASHINGTON — The Food and Drug Administration issued long-awaited guidance Tuesday on the data it expects from drug companies seeking emergency authorization of covid-19 vaccines, rejecting White House pressure for lower standards intended to push out vaccines quickly. The 18-page guidance was released a day after reports suggested the White...
CDC says coronavirus can spread indoors in updated guidance
NEW YORK — The top U.S. public health agency said Monday that the coronavirus can spread more than 6 feet through the air, especially in poorly ventilated and enclosed spaces. But agency officials maintained that such spread is uncommon and current social distancing guidelines still make sense. However, several experts...
Former Homestead church, now an agility course, is still a place to reach a higher powerVideo
When you’re 17 feet in the air about to take a step onto a tight rope, you might need some inner strength. That fortitude is something that can be brought out of you at the Dragon’s Den. Housed in the former historic St. Mary Magdalene Church in Homestead, this ropes...
Pitt researchers begin new drug trial to test covid-19 treatments
Emily Evans was looking for a clinical trial to enroll in. The 28-year-old internal medicine resident at UPMC contracted covid-19 in early September after visiting family. She began experiencing headaches, dehydration, body aches and a lingering cough – as well as the loss of taste and smell that’s come to...
Gov. Wolf unveils health care reform package
Gov. Tom Wolf on Friday announced a health care reform package that will focus on affordability for consumers, accountability for corporations and eliminating inequities in care and coverage, particularly those “resulting from systemic racism.” “True reform means focusing on every aspect of a person that contributes to their health,” Wolf...
Pittsburgh doctors discuss Trump’s covid risk factorsVideo
Pittsburgh-based infectious disease experts say President Donald Trump’s age and other health factors could make him especially vulnerable to covid-19. “Age is the most important factor in how well people do – or how well people don’t do – with covid-19,” said Dr. Graham Snyder, UPMC’s medical director of infection...
Pfizer CEO pushes back against Trump claim on vaccine timing
The head of Pfizer, one of the drugmakers racing to develop a coronavirus vaccine, told employees on Thursday he was disappointed that its work was politicized during the presidential debate and tried to reassure U.S. staff that the company won’t bend to pressure to move more quickly. CEO Albert Bourla...
Stanton Heights mom runs uneven path to create smoother 1 for daughter
Gina Mannion prefers to run on trails. Jogging courses of rough terrain represent the ups, downs, hurdles and rocky roads she’s been navigating since the birth of her oldest daughter 14 years ago. Maeve Mannion was born with Down syndrome. Her mother uses running as a means to get her...
Allegheny County officials update residents on sports, testing and mail-in ballotsVideo
Allegheny County officials said Wednesday that state leaders will make the final call on whether to open major sporting events to spectators. “It won’t be a decision that’s made here at the local level or in Philadelphia,” said County Executive Rich Fitzgerald. As college and professional football seasons get started,...
