JAMESTOWN, N.Y. — Hospital leaders serving Pennsylvania and Western New York outlined a new COVID-19 treatment Friday designed to lower the risks associated with the virus.

What You Need To Know

  • UPMC released findings about COVID-19 antibody treatment
  • Leaders say the treatment cuts hospitalization and death by 70%
  • The hospital system has also given out 297,000 doses of vaccine
​​

"Welcome news at a critical time," said Dr. Graham Snyder, UPMC medical director of Infection Prevention, Hospital Epidemiology.

Medical leaders with UPMC in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania released their findings Friday on COVID-19 Monoclonal Antibody treatment, a treatment aimed at blocking the virus from infecting a person's cells.

Leaders say there are 16 infusion centers where the treatment is offered across the system's footprint, including UPMC Chautauqua in Jamestown.

"The possibility that a treatment can prevent serious complications of COVID-19 would truly be transformative for this pandemic," said Dr. Snyder.

"It might just save your life," said Dr. Donald Yealy, UPMC senior medical director, Department of Emergency Medicine chair.

Leaders say the FDA has authorized UPMC to give this treatment to COVID-19 patients with other at-risk complications. 

Doctors say the earlier a patient gets the treatment, the better the outcome. 

"Too many times we've seen people with what they thought was mild COVID-19 for the first week quickly take a turn for a worst and end up in our hospitals, or even in our ICU's," said Dr. Yealy.

"So essentially, we're giving your immune system a leg up on the virus before it can take hold and wreak havoc," said Dr. Erin McCreary UPMC Infectious Diseases pharmacist.

Once the virus is detected, the treatment can keep patients from becoming seriously ill.

About a thousand have been treated in the last few months, with the risk of hospitalization and death cut by 70%.

"I can promise you from seeing patients throughout this pandemic, the risk of COVID-19 complications is far higher and much, much worse than the risk of a reaction to the medication," said Dr. McCreary.

Leaders also gave a vaccination update, with about 297,000 doses given so far across the communities served, including UPMC Chautauqua. 

"What we'd advise people in places like Chautauqua, or any other more rural location, keep your enthusiasm about getting vaccinated, get whatever vaccine you can when it's available. Don't worry about which one," said Dr. Yealy.

"Vaccination is just one important layer of protection in our effort to end this pandemic. With critical and effective measures of masking and distancing also playing an important role," said Dr. Snyder.

Patients and providers can find out more about monoclonal antibody treatment at UPMC by visiting upmc.com/AntibodyTreatment or calling 866-804-5251.