5 Things You Should Know About the COVID-19 Response in Pittsburgh This Week

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1. University of Pittsburgh Research Team Comes Closer to Possible COVID-19 Vaccine

During a UPMC and University of Pittsburgh press briefing on April 2, the organizations announced they developed a potential COVID-19 vaccine under the direction of researcher Dr. Andrea Gambotto, an associate professor of surgery at Pitt. Clinical trials will begin as soon as approval's granted from the FDA.

2. Pittsburgh Public Schools Preparing for Online Instruction

Through teacher training, home technology surveys and student device purchases, the Pittsburgh Public Schools are gearing up to begin online instruction for its 23,000 students on April 16.

3. Small Business Owners, Laid-Off Employees Encouraged to Apply for Aid

The state is encouraging those in need of aid after small business closures and lay-offs to apply for compensation. Despite the backlog of requests, they're assuring residents the assistance checks will arrive.

4. ​ Number of Visitors to the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank Increase Significantly Garnering National Attention

Visitors to the Grater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank have increased five-fold showing the community's need and garnering national media attention. Individuals and companies are coming together to support this growing need, including Duquesne Light and its 1,600 employees.

5. Highmark & UPMC to Cover Out-of-Pocket Costs for COVID-19 Patients

As the number of COVID-19 cases continues to rise across the state and country, Highmark and UPMC both announced they're covering the out-of-pocket costs for its COVID-19 patients.

To help prevent the spread of COVID-19, please stay home as much as possible and remember to practice good hygiene, such as regularly washing your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds and coughing and sneezing into your elbow. Call your primary care provider if you're experiencing flu-like symptoms, such as a fever, cough or shortness of breath. Find additional helpful resources for preventing the spread of illness here.

Above all else, Duquesne Light values the health and safety of its employees and customers. As such, the company has a task force working around the clock in response to the COVID-19 outbreak. Alongside the CDC, Allegheny Health Department and other local officials, Duquesne Light is taking the necessary steps to protect its employees, ease the burden placed on its customers by the COVID-19 pandemic and provide the community with safe and reliable power. Learn more here.

Last Updated April 3, 2020 at 1:00 p.m.