Once again, we are pleased to be able to lead with optimistic news regarding the progression of COVID-19 in the communities UPMC serves. While the number of people in our region seeking care for COVID-19 symptoms continues to grow, we are encouraged that we haven’t seen the surge in cases that other regions of the country have experienced. As of April 9, UPMC’s nine regional testing sites conducted 7,376 tests with a positivity rate of 8 percent. This rate has remained relatively stable since mid-March when doctors diagnosed the first COVID-19 case in western Pennsylvania.  

As leading academic medical and research centers, UPMC and the University of Pittsburgh are exceptionally proud of the medical advancements of our physician-scientists and researchers. Last week, we announced a new clinical trial approach to fast-track COVID-19 therapies. This effort involves a type of artificial intelligence known as reinforcement learning to identify the best COVID-19 therapy at a much faster rate than traditional methods. You can learn more about this innovative approach by watching our most recent press conference. 

Finally, even though we are practicing social distancing, it’s never been more important to support our friends, family, and neighbors. Along with the City of Pittsburgh and our sports partners, the Pittsburgh Penguins and Pittsburgh Steelers, we launched an initiative to encourage our community to look for ways to “Help the Helpers,” including those who work in health care, grocery stores, and other essential services. 

From a phone call to say ”thank you” to walking a neighbor’s dog, every person has the potential to help the helpers in our communities. We hope you’ll join us in supporting the incredible people who put themselves at risk to keep our community up and running.

As always, we are here for you, and we thank you for choosing and trusting UPMC.
 

Leslie C. Davis
Senior Vice President, UPMC
Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, Health Services Division  

Steven D. Shapiro, MD 
Executive Vice President, UPMC
Chief Medical and Scientific Officer
President, Health Services Division

UPMC has launched a novel clinical trial by researchers at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine to address one of the most important debates of the COVID-19 pandemic: How should doctors decide between quickly adopting new treatments, such as the antimalarial drug hydroxychloroquine, and waiting until they are tested in longer clinical trials?

The effort uses a type of artificial intelligence known as reinforcement learning to identify the best therapy for COVID-19 at a much faster rate than the traditional method. 

“We must throw out old ways of thinking and fuse clinical care and clinical research into one extremely efficient system,” said Derek Angus, MD, chair of the Department of Critical Care Medicine at the University of Pittsburgh.

Are you concerned about COVID-19 exposure or symptoms? You can now quickly assess yourself with our new COVID-19 screening tool. Answer a few simple questions to get recommendations on next steps for care.

Do you have an upcoming appointment or need to schedule a new one with your primary care doctor or specialist? There’s no need to cancel or reschedule. You can schedule video visits from the comfort of your own home with many of our providers. 

If you’re looking for a PCP video visit, you can now book directly online.
Need to see a specialist or have an urgent need? Call your provider or learn more here.

UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh and UPMC Children’s Community Pediatrics offer video visits for pediatric primary care, subspecialty care, and urgent care. 
 
Please enroll in myCHP, UPMC Children’s free service that makes it easy for you to manage your child’s health information online. Visit chp.edu/myCHP.

UPMC scientists are working to launch a blood test that determines whether certain people have immunity against SARS-CoV-2, the new coronavirus that causes COVID-19. 
 
The antibody test will reveal if a person was exposed and may be immune to the virus. Learn more about immunity testing and UPMC’s work from the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.

John Williams, MD, chief of the Division of Pediatric Infectious Diseases, fielded COVID-19 questions from the public on Twitter. The discussion ranged from safe grocery shopping to social distancing and home hygiene.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention now recommends that the general public voluntarily wear homemade face coverings in public places. Learn more about these new guidelines.

• UPMC Information on COVID-19
• Centers for Disease Control Coronavirus Update
• World Health Organization
• Pennsylvania Department of Health
• Click to subscribe for COVID-19 email updates