On May 11, 2023, San Francisco officially concluded its COVID-19 public health emergency, aligning with the federal government’s decision to end the national emergency declaration. This move marked a significant milestone in the city’s ongoing response to the pandemic.
Mayor London Breed and the San Francisco Department of Public Health (SFDPH) announced the termination of the local emergency, reflecting the city’s evolving approach to managing COVID-19. The decision came after more than three years of stringent health measures aimed at controlling the virus’s spread.
Dr. Grant Colfax, Director of SFDPH, stated, “While the public health emergency has ended, our commitment to protecting the health of all San Franciscans remains steadfast. We continue to monitor the situation closely and will adjust our strategies as necessary.”
The end of the emergency declaration led to the rescission of several health orders and directives that had been in place since the onset of the pandemic. However, certain measures, particularly those related to healthcare settings, remained active to ensure continued protection for vulnerable populations.
Despite the conclusion of the emergency, health experts emphasized the importance of ongoing vigilance. Dr. Peter Chin-Hong, an infectious disease specialist at UCSF, noted, “The end of the emergency doesn’t mean the end of COVID-19. We must continue to follow public health guidance to prevent further outbreaks.”
As of mid-May, San Francisco reported a significant decline in COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations compared to earlier in the pandemic. The seven-day average positivity rate had dropped to under 5%, indicating a controlled transmission rate. Hospitalizations were also at their lowest levels since the onset of the pandemic, with 273 patients admitted to county hospitals, a 550% decrease from two weeks prior.
The city’s vaccination efforts played a crucial role in these positive trends. Approximately 96.7% of San Francisco residents had received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, contributing to the overall decline in cases and hospitalizations.
Health officials continued to encourage residents to stay up to date with vaccinations and to remain cautious, especially in indoor settings and among high-risk populations. The SFDPH maintained its commitment to providing resources and guidance to the community as the city transitioned into this new phase of the pandemic response.
For more information on COVID-19 resources and updates, residents were directed to visit the SFDPH website and the California Department of Public Health’s official channels.
