Positive news from the frontlines:
As COVID-19 infection rates continue to rise in other parts of the region and across the country, our testing data continues to reassure us that COVID-19 is not as widespread in the communities we serve. Social distancing at an early phase has allowed both our infection control experts at UPMC and our counties to track down cases and contain clusters. Hence, the region’s efforts at social distancing and isolation are paying off. On behalf of all our health care colleagues, we thank you for your continued vigilance. Now, more than ever, we must continue these important mitigation efforts.
Late last week, scientists at UPMC and the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine announced a potential vaccine against SARS-CoV-2, the new coronavirus causing the COVID-19 pandemic. A paper on the vaccine appeared April 2 in EBioMedicine. It is the first study on a potential COVID-19 vaccine to be published after peer review from scientific experts. You can learn more about this exciting announcement in the article below.
Finally, we continue to be incredibly proud of the job all our employees are doing in the fight against COVID-19. Each day brings new challenges, and this amazing team remains focused on providing high-quality care to those suffering from COVID-19 disorders and to the many other patients whom we continue to serve across a spectrum
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Scientists at UPMC and the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine have announced a potential vaccine against SARS-CoV-2, the new coronavirus causing the COVID-19 pandemic.
When tested in mice, the vaccine produces antibodies specific to SARS-CoV-2 at quantities thought to be enough to neutralize the virus. This marks the first study on a potential COVID-19 vaccine to be published after a critique from fellow scientists at outside institutions.
The research team calls this vaccine PittCoVacc, short for Pittsburgh Coronavirus Vaccine.
Scientists also use a new approach to deliver the drug, called a microneedle array, to increase potency. This array is a fingertip-sized patch of 400 tiny needles that deliver spike protein pieces into the skin, where the immune reaction is the strongest.
The patch goes on like a Band-Aid®, and the needles, which are made entirely of sugar and protein pieces, simply dissolve into the skin.
COVID-19 Vaccine Candidate Shows Promise