For all SFDPH press releases, please visit the Media Information Page

 

San Francisco to Resume Outdoor Personal Services Starting September 1 - 8/28/20

Mayor London N. Breed and Dr. Grant Colfax, Director of Public Health, today announced that outdoor personal services will resume in San Francisco, effective Tuesday, September 1, 2020. Outdoor gyms and fitness centers can reopen starting September 9, 2020. Additionally, the Mayor and Dr. Colfax announced that once San Francisco is removed from the State's watch list, the City's top priorities for reopening will be the gradual opening of classrooms, services that support the development of children, and other activities that can occur outdoors. Read the full press release from the Mayor's Office.

San Francisco Experiencing Data Impacts Due to Statewide Database System Delays - 8/6/20

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San Francisco Asks Residents to Stay Home as Much as Possiblie During Holiday Weekend to Help Flatten the Curve Again - 7/7/20

Recognizing the rapid increase in COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations across San Francisco, the City’s Emergency Operations Center today urged San Francisco residents to do everything they can to slow the spread of the virus so that the City can stay healthy and resume reopening as soon as possible. With the July 4th holiday weekend upon us, the safest way to celebrate this year is by staying home. LEARN MORE

Bay Area Health Orders Remain in Effect - 5/7/20

The Bay Area Health Officers commend the residents and businesses who have made tremendous sacrifices to flatten the curve and protect community health in our region. We need to continue to work together so those sacrifices don’t go to waste. It is critical to maintain our gains. LEARN MORE

Bay Area Health Officers' Indicators for Assessing Progress on Containing COVID-19 - 4/29/20

The following indicators (“Indicators”) will be tracked by each of the Health Officers in the Bay Area to assess our collective progress in ensuring we have the strategies and infrastructure in place to contain and treat COVID-19. These Indicators are designed to provide measurable goals that will spur action on the part of the community at large, driving us to work together to create this infrastructure and to achieve our strategic goals. These Indicators are complementary to the high-level metrics that are being tracked by the California Department of Public Health and the Governor. LEARN MORE | Español

Coronavirus (COVID-19) Outbreak at MSC South Homeless Shelter - 4/10/20

Today, San Francisco announced an outbreak at the Multi-Service Center South (MSC South), a City funded adult shelter operated by St. Vincent De Paul Society, and the implementation of their emergency response plans for the facility. LEARN MORE

New Bay Area Public Health Recommendation to Cover the Face - 4/2/20

Bay Area health officials are recommending residents cover their nose and mouth with cloth when leaving home for essential travel such as to doctor appointments, grocery shopping or pharmacy visits. LEARN MORE

Mayor London Breed and Board President Norman Yee Convene COVID-19 Economic Recovery Task Force - 4/2/20

Mayor London N. Breed and Board of Supervisors President Norman Yee today announced the creation of a COVID-19 Economic Recovery Task Force. The Task Force is charged with guiding the City’s efforts to sustain and recover local businesses and employment, and mitigate the economic hardships that are already affecting the most vulnerable San Franciscans. LEARN MORE

San Francisco Launches Citywide Volunteer Match Program to Support Seniors and People with Disabilities - 4/1/20

Mayor London N. Breed today announced the creation of a citywide volunteer network to support seniors and people with disabilities during the coronavirus pandemic and throughout the duration of the recently updated Stay Home Public Health Order. LEARN MORE

Bay Area Health Officers Issue Updated Stay-at-Home Order with New Restrictions to Last Through May 3 - 3/31/20

Health officers in seven Bay Area jurisdictions are extending a previous stay-at-home order through May 3, 2020 in order to preserve critical hospital capacity across the region. LEARN MORE

Seven Bay Area Jurisdictions to Update Shelter-in-Place Order in Coming Days - 3/30/20

The Public Health Order for people to shelter-in-place safely in their homes will soon be extended until at least May 1. Public Health orders are issued by the respective Health Officers of each jurisdiction. The Bay Area is fortunate to have a group of dedicated public health leaders who are working together to address the interconnectedness of our region. We have said an extension might be expected as we work together to slow the spread of the COVID-19 disease. Additional details about the updated order will be available when it is finalized in the next day or two. LEARN MORE

San Francisco to Open New Shelter at Moscone Center in Response to COVID-19 and Need for More Social Distance in Shelters UPDATED - 3/27/20

San Francisco today announced a plan to create more social distance at the City’s shelters and Navigation Centers by opening a new shelter at Moscone Center West. The new facility at Moscone West will open next week and will operate throughout the duration of the public health emergency, which Mayor London N. Breed declared on February 25th. LEARN MORE

Mayor Breed Announces Three New Drive-Thru/Drop-In COVID-19 Testing Sites for the Public and Additional Prioritized Testing for First Responders and Health Care Workers - 3/27/20

Mayor London N. Breed and Dr. Grant Colfax, Director of Health, today announced prioritized COVID-19 testing for critical first responders and health care workers who are essential to the City’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as three new mobile testing sites available to members of the public who have a clinician referral. LEARN MORE

Mayor London Breed and Community Leaders Stress Need for San Franciscans to Stay Home During the COVID-19 Outbreak - 3/27/20

In advance of the weekend, Mayor London N. Breed today renewed her call for all San Franciscans to stay home and only go outdoors for essential trips near their home, such as to the grocery store or pharmacy and for exercise. Both locally-owned and federally-owned parking lots near beaches and major recreational areas have been closed to prevent people from gathering at these locations. LEARN MORE

Mayor Breed Announces Three New Drive-Thru/Drop-In Covid-19 Testing Sites - 3/27/20

Mayor London N. Breed and Dr. Grant Colfax, Director of Health, today announced prioritized COVID-19 testing for critical first responders and health care workers who are essential to the City’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as three new mobile testing sites available to members of the public who have a clinician referral. LEARN MORE

UPDATE - New Developments at Laguna Honda Hospital - 3/26/20

Now that the coronavirus is here in our community, the City and County of San Francisco and Department of Public Health continue to focus on protecting vulnerable populations and health care workers, and on slowing the spread of the disease. We do expect that there will be more cases of COVID-19 in the Laguna Honda community, among staff and residents, because it is now spreading throughout the Bay Area. LEARN MORE

San Francisco Issues Guidance for Essential Businesses During Stay at Home Order

The City and County of San Francisco today shared guidance for essential businesses that remain open to the public under the City’s Public Health Order to help protect employee health, reduce crowding at essential businesses, and help keep highly-trafficked spaces clean. LEARN MORE

Increased Protections Ordered for Laguna Honda Residents and Staff - 3/25/20

The Health Officer of the City and County of San Francisco today ordered a protective quarantine for the campus of Laguna Honda Hospital and Rehabilitation Center. The order, which prohibits residents from leaving campus, strengthens previous protections for residents and staff. The order takes effect today at 5 p.m. and expires April 7. LEARN MORE

Mayor London Breed and San Francisco Hospitals Unified in Preparation for Surge of Covid-10 Patients - 3/25/20

Mayor London N. Breed, Director of Health Dr. Grant Colfax, Dr. David Klein, President and CEO of Saint Francis Memorial Hospital and Chair of the San Francisco Section-Hospital Council Northern & Central California, and Mark R. Laret, President and Chief Executive Officer of UCSF Health, today joined with all San Francisco hospitals to present their unified COVID-19 surge plan and call for more federal and state support. LEARN MORE

San Francisco Announces First Death of a City Resident with Novel Coronavirus - 3/24/20

The City and County of San Francisco today announced the first death of a resident with COVID-19, the disease caused by coronavirus. The man who died was in his 40s and had multiple, significant underlying health conditions. Mayor London N. Breed and City health officials urge San Franciscans to stay at home to slow the spread of the virus and save lives. LEARN MORE

Seven Bay Area Jurisdictions Order Laboratories Testing for COVID-19 to Report More Comprehensive Testing Data to State and Local Authorities - 3/24/20

On March 24, the Public Health Officers of Alameda, Contra Costa, Marin, San Francisco, San Mateo, and Santa Clara, with the City of Berkeley, announced an order with new reporting requirements for laboratories that test for the novel coronavirus. Laboratories must report results of tests for all residents of each jurisdiction to the ordering health care provider and the appropriate state and local health officials. LEARN MORE

Mayor London Breed and Supervisor Catherine Stefani Announce Critical Donation of Needed Personal Protective Equipment - 3/21/20

Mayor London N. Breed and Supervisor Catherine Stefani today announced a large donation of personal protective equipment (PPE) for frontline healthcare workers. Flexport, a San Francisco-based company, donated surgical masks, gloves, gowns, and thermometers to San Francisco’s efforts to respond to COVID-19. Supervisor Stefani was instrumental in coordinating the donation of the PPE, which will be put to immediate use through the Emergency Operations Center. LEARN MORE

San Francisco Expands Emergency Child Care Hours for Health Care Workers, Provides Care to Children of Other Essential Workers - 3/20/20

Mayor London N. Breed today announced that San Francisco’s emergency child and youth care centers will expand their operating hours to better align with the schedule of health care workers. The San Francisco Recreation and Park Department will also expand their emergency care program to provide child care for additional essential employees. This is part of the City’s efforts to support essential workers during the COVID-19 pandemic. LEARN MORE

San Francisco Health Officer Issues Order Restricting Routine Medical Appointments and Elective Procedures Cannabis Dispensaries Encouraged to Use Delivery Method - 3/18/20

In order to slow the spread of the novel coronavirus and to free medical capacity for more acute conditions, Dr. Tomas Aragon, the Health Officer of the City and County of San Francisco, ordered today that routine health care appointments be cancelled, postponed or conducted remotely, and that the city’s cannabis dispensaries should do everything possible to promote home delivery of cannabis products. LEARN MORE

Mayor London Breed Announces a Moratorium on Commercial Evictions for Small and Medium Size Businesses in San Francisco - 3/18/20

Mayor London N. Breed today announced a moratorium on commercial evictions for small and medium-sized businesses related to financial impacts caused by COVID-19. The moratorium will prevent any small to medium-sized business from being evicted due to a loss of income related to lost revenue or other economic impacts caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. LEARN MORE

Mayor London Breed Announces Expedited Hiring of Health Care Professionals - 3/18/20

Mayor London N. Breed today announced a Declaration to expedite City hiring of employees that are necessary to respond to the COVID-19 local emergency. Mayor Breed’s Declaration temporarily waives provisions of Civil Service Commission Rules and provisions of the Charter regarding hiring, in order to ensure continuity of City operations in response to COVID-19. Critical City employees include nurses and other public health professionals. LEARN MORE

Coronavirus (COVID-19) Daily Update - 3/16/20

The City and County of San Francisco is focused implementing social distancing and avoiding overcrowding to disrupt COVID-19 and protect community health. We caution the media and the public for relying too heavily on confirmed case count as an indicator of the situation in San Francisco. The most important thing people can do is practice social distancing, maintain good hygiene and look out for one another. LEARN MORE

Mayor Breed Announces Plan to Provide Paid Sick Leave for Workers Impacted by Coronavirus - 3/16/20

Today, Mayor London N. Breed announced a Workers and Families First Program to provide paid sick leave to private sector workers who have been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. This plan will include $10 million in public funding that will provide businesses with funding to provide an additional five days of sick leave pay to workers beyond their existing policies. LEARN MORE

San Francisco to Suspend Power and Water Shutoffs, Waive Penalties and Interest for Delinquent
Payments - 3/14/20

Mayor London N. Breed today announced that the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission (SFPUC) will no longer shut off water or power for delinquent payments, and that both the SFPUC and the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency (SFMTA) will no longer add penalties on to delinquent payments during the City’s Local Emergency response to coronavirus. These actions are part of the City’s response to reduce financial impacts on individuals during the COVID-19 pandemic. LEARN MORE

San Francisco Issues Moratorium on Gatherings of 100 or More to Slow Spread of COVID-19 - 3/13/20

Mayor London N. Breed today announced that the Health Officer of the City and County of San Francisco has issued a Public Health Order prohibiting all non-essential events of 100 or more persons. This measure is necessary to slow the spread of novel coronavirus (COVID-19) in the community. The Order is effective immediately. LEARN MORE

Mayor London Breed Announces Moratorium on Evictions Related to COVID-19 Pandemic - 3/13/20

Today, Mayor London N. Breed announced a moratorium on residential evictions related to financial impacts caused by COVID-19. The moratorium will prevent any resident from being evicted due to a loss of income related to a business closure, loss of hours or wages, layoffs, or out-of-pocket medical costs caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. The Mayor issued this moratorium under the powers of the Local Emergency she declared on February 25th. LEARN MORE

Mayor London Breed and City Administrator Naomi Kelly Announce GIVE2SF Fund - 3/13/20

Mayor London N. Breed and City Administrator Naomi M. Kelly today announced that the City and County of San Francisco’s Give2SF Fund allows the City to accept tax-deductible monetary contributions, which can be spent on various City efforts to respond to the novel coronavirus outbreak and support residents. This includes providing shelter, food, and other types of assistance to help individuals across the City as well as assistance to small businesses impacted by the outbreak. LEARN MORE

San Franciso Converts Public Libraries, Recreation Facilities to Emergency Child Care Centers - 3/13/20

Mayor London N. Breed today announced that beginning Monday, March 16 the Recreation and Park Department and the San Francisco Public Library will begin to operate libraries and indoor recreation facilities as emergency care facilities for children of parents on the front lines of the COVID-19 outbreak and low-income families. Both agencies will suspend regular indoor programming effective Friday, March 13 at 6 p.m.
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DPH Statement on SFUSD Closure Announcement - 3/12/20

The San Francisco Department of Public Health (DPH) was informed today by the Board of Education that San Francisco Unified School District (SFUSD) intends to close all schools for a three-week period. LEARN MORE

San Francisco Issues Rules Limiting Visitors to Long-Term Care Facilities - 3/12/20

Mayor London N. Breed today announced that the Health Officer of the City and County of San Francisco has issued a Public Health Order prohibiting non-essential visitors from entering long-term care facilities within San Francisco city limits. This measure is necessary to slow the spread of novel coronavirus in the community. It builds on the City’s public health recommendations and a prior Public Health Order issued on March 7th regarding City-owned and operated long-term care facilities at Laguna Honda and Zuckerberg San Francisco General hospitals. LEARN MORE

San Francisco Issues Moratorium on Large Gatherings of 1,000 or More - 3/11/20

Mayor London N. Breed today announced that the Health Officer of the City and County of San Francisco will issue a Public Health Order prohibiting all large group events of 1,000 or more persons. This measure is necessary to slow the spread of novel coronavirus (COVID-19) in the community and builds on the City’s March 6th public health recommendations. LEARN MORE

San Francisco to Provide Temporary Housing for COVID-19 Quarantine - 3/10/20

As the City continues to strengthen its response to reduce the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19), San Francisco is working to provide quarantine locations for individuals who have tested positive for COVID-19 and do not need to be hospitalized, as well as individuals who have been exposed to the virus and do not have access to adequate shelter due to homelessness or shared living arrangements. Shared-living situations include SROs, shelters, and Permanent Supportive Housing. LEARN MORE

San Francisco Increases COVID-19 Protections for Homeless Residents - 3/9/20

Mayor London N. Breed, Supervisor Aaron Peskin, and the Department of Public Health today announced $5 million in new investments, as well as a Public Health Order to protect vulnerable populations who are at risk of becoming ill or dying if they contract COVID-19, the disease caused by the new coronavirus. This emergency fund and Order will focus on reducing risk of exposure to the virus for the many marginally housed seniors, people with underlying health conditions, and individuals experiencing homelessness, living in shelters, single-room occupancy hotels (SROs), and Permanent Supportive Housing. LEARN MORE

DPH Statement on ICA School Closure - 3/8/20

ICA Cristo Rey, a private all-girls Roman Catholic high school in San Francisco’s Mission district, informed school staff and parents this weekend that the school would close for 14 days to protect students and staff from low risk of exposure to the coronavirus. LEARN MORE

San Francisco Reports Additional Case of Coronavirus - 3/7/20

The San Francisco Department of Public Health today reported presumptive positive cases of COVID-19 in six San Francisco residents, bringing the total number of confirmed cases in the city to eight. LEARN MORE

SFDPH Announces Aggressive Recommendations - 3/6/20

Mayor London N. Breed, the San Francisco Department of Public Health and the Department of Emergency Management today announced aggressive new recommendations for San Francisco to reduce the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19) in the community. Dr. Grant Colfax will be available to speak with press at 5:00 p.m. at the Department of Public Health, 101 Grove Street, Room 220. LEARN MORE | 中文 | Español

San Francisco Announces Cases of Novel Coronavirus in San Francisco - 3/5/20

The City and County of San Francisco today announced presumptive positive cases of COVID-19 in two San Francisco residents. San Francisco officials also provided updates about the status of the Grand Princess cruise ship. LEARN MORE

Project Homeless Connect - 3/3/20

The Department of Public Health (DPH) today announced that the quarterly Project Homeless Connect event at Bill Graham Auditorium will be rescheduled from March 4th in order to reduce the risk of exposure to novel coronavirus (COVID-19) among people experiencing homelessness. Out of an abundance of caution for this particularly vulnerable population, DPH has determined with Project Homeless Connect that the supportive services will be better deployed through existing homeless service channels and not at a single centralized gathering. LEARN MORE

Update on Local Response - 3/2/20

Today, Mayor London N. Breed and San Francisco Public Health and Emergency officials announced new plans to protect public health and strengthen preparations for potential community spread of novel coronavirus in San Francisco. These plans include new local testing for COVID-19 by the San Francisco Department of Public Health (DPH), prioritization for protection of vulnerable populations, and increased City staff and volunteer deployment. LEARN MORE

SF Declares Local Emergency - 2/25/20

Mayor London N. Breed today made an emergency declaration to strengthen the City’s preparedness to respond to COVID-19 (novel coronavirus). She was joined by Health Director Dr. Grant Colfax and Executive Director of the Department of Emergency Management Mary Ellen Carroll in this action to surge resources and capabilities, and ensure San Francisco is as ready as possible in the event that the new virus comes to our community. LEARN MORE

Xenophobia Statement - 2/6/20

San Francisco calls on the community to reject xenophobia and discrimination. The novel (new) coronavirus has been declared a global health emergency and a national health emergency in the United States. This is a serious and rapidly developing situation, affecting thousands of people worldwide. LEARN MORE | 中文 | Pilipino | Español

Cancelling Events - 2/4/20

The San Francisco Department of Public Health (DPH) is not recommending the cancellation of public events at this time, including Lunar New Year celebrations. That recommendation is consistent with the current guidance by the California Department of Public Health. LEARN MORE | 中文 | Pilipino | Español

San Benito Patient - 2/3/20

San Francisco is caring for two confirmed novel coronavirus cases from another California county who require hospitalization. They arrived this morning and represent no elevated risk to the public. The hospital is taking all appropriate precautions for patient and staff safety. To protect their privacy, we will not be naming the hospital or providing more patient information. LEARN MORE | 中文 | Pilipino | Español

Santa Clara Patients - 1/31/20

With today’s announcement of a confirmed novel coronavirus case in a Santa Clara County resident, California now has three confirmed cases of the new illness (one each in Los Angeles and Orange counties). The risk to the public remains low. LEARN MORE | 中文 | Pilipino | Español

San Francisco is Prepared - 1/24/20

The San Francisco Department of Public Health (DPH) is actively preparing to respond to the novel (new) coronavirus originating in Wuhan, China that has sickened more than 800 people worldwide since December, approximately 25 of whom have died. LEARN MORE | 中文 | Pilipino | Español