UPMC doctors announced a new therapy to help protect some of the most vulnerable COVID-19 patients. Doctors said it’s protection they can’t get with the current vaccines.

Starting Thursday, UPMC hospitals are distributing doses of Astra Zeneca’s Evusheld, which is the first ever antibody for prevention of COVID-19 prior to an exposure that’s been authorized by the Food and Drug Administration.

“Our patients that have compromised autoimmune systems way not respond as robustly from Covid-19 vaccination as other patients and while they should be absolutely vaccinated, its exciting for us to have an additional long-acting antibody medication that serves as an extra layer of protection for some of our most valuable patients,” said Dr. Erin McCreary for UPMC.

Dr. McCreary said those eligible for the new therapy have to be 12 years and older, weigh at least 88 pounds and have moderately or severely compromised immune systems.

https://www.wpxi.com/news/local/upmc-announces-new-therapy-covid-patients/IFKKHMQ7ZNAPZJORK7ZCY3FXYU/

PITTSBURGH — Mayor Peduto and the Office of Community Health and Safety have added three social workers to focus on crisis co-response, situation triage, mental and behavioral health resource connections, plus a number of other issues.

“This is something that our first responders and community members have really been advocating for for many years,” said Laura Grogowski, OCH&S manager.

The social workers will help with public safety if they’re dealing with someone in distress who may have mental health concerns.

It’s a situation public safety employees see all the time.

https://www.wpxi.com/news/local/city-pittsburgh-adds-3-social-workers-ochs-staff/B5XLBYGYVBBWFKNPQWN3FCDYEU/