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,...
Pa. health secretary concerned about lingering effects of covid-19 on ‘recovered’ patients
A person is generally considered recovered from covid-19 about 30 days after they test positive or exhibit symptoms, according to state health officials. But that doesn’t mean the virus-stricken person has returned to normal health, Pennsylvania Secretary of Health Rachel Levine said Wednesday. She called people who have lingering effects...
How to survive ‘twindemic’ of flu and coronavirus
With flu season approaching and covid-19 still spreading, public health officials are warning of a “twindemic.” Local health experts are emphasizing increased vigilance this year. Flu shots Doctors generally recommend flu shots. This year, it’s more important than ever, said Dr. Amy Crawford-Faucher of the Allegheny Health Network, where she...
Pittsburgh doctors hopeful flu season will be mild
UPMC doctors on Tuesday said there is optimism among experts that this year’s flu season will be mild, but they cautioned that everyone should get a flu vaccine and continue covid-19 mitigation efforts, such as masking and social distancing. The doctors stressed those mitigation efforts are the best defense against...
Covid-19 cases rising among U.S. children as schools reopen
After preying heavily on the elderly in the spring, the coronavirus is increasingly infecting American children and teens in a trend authorities say appears driven by school reopenings and the resumption of sports, playdates and other activities. Children of all ages now make up 10% of all U.S cases, up...
West Nile virus found in Greensburg mosquito
Officials with Pennsylvania’s West Nile virus control program reported the first positive case of the virus this year among mosquitoes sampled in Westmoreland County. The case was identified in a sample taken the second week of September in Greensburg — as the seasonal virus surveillance and testing program was approaching...
U.S. experts vow ‘no cutting corners’ as vaccine tests expandVideo
WASHINGTON — A huge international study of a covid-19 vaccine that aims to work with just one dose is getting underway as top U.S. health officials sought Wednesday to assure a skeptical Congress and public that they can trust any shots the government ultimately approves. Hopes are high that answers...
Late-stage study of first single-shot vaccine begins in U.S.Video
Johnson & Johnson is beginning a huge final study to try to prove if a single-dose covid-19 vaccine can protect against the virus. The study starting Wednesday will be one of the world’s largest coronavirus vaccine studies so far, testing the shot in 60,000 volunteers in the U.S., South Africa,...
CDC guidelines recommend avoiding trick-or-treating during HalloweenVideo
The Centers for Disease Control has advised against door-to-door trick-or-treating, attending crowded and indoor parties and wearing costume masks this Halloween to prevent the spread of covid-19. The health agency released new guidelines this week that outlined several traditional Halloween activities that could be high-risk for spreading viruses and offered...
Pennsylvania nears launch of new health insurance website
Pennsylvania is getting ready to launch its own website to sell Affordable Care Act-compliant policies that will replace the federally operated Healthcare.gov to enroll people for the 2021 insurance year, state officials said Tuesday. It is named “Pennie” and lawmakers approved the idea last year in a bid to get...
Pittsburgh officials to hear from outside experts about how to tackle lead issues
Children who live in Pittsburgh remain more likely to have higher lead levels than those who live in other areas of the country, according to the Allegheny County Health Department. City officials are working to change that trend. For several years, Pittsburgh Water and Sewer Authority has worked to replace...
Tips for seniors back exercising after being less active because of the pandemicVideo
Ivan Engel of Squirrel Hill has advice for fellow seniors working out for the first time since not exercising for the past six months because of the pandemic. “Know your limits,” said the 73-year-old after a grueling 45-minute spinning class and half an hour of stretching on Sept. 9 at...
5 of the best exercises for seniors
According to seniorlifestyle.com, here are some of the best exercises for seniors: Walking One of the least stressful and accessible forms of exercise is walking. For some seniors, walking is a bigger challenge than others, so distance and step goals differ from person to person. Water aerobics Exercising in the...
Allegheny County Health Department announces walk-in flu shot clinic in Pittsburgh
The Allegheny County Health Department announced that they will be offering flu vaccines beginning next week at the Immunization Clinic in Downtown Pittsburgh. The department will administer walk-in flu shots from 9 a.m. till 3:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, starting Sept. 21. There will be additional evening hours on Thursdays...
