Disease Prevention and Control, San Francisco Department of Public Health

Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19)

Go To SFCDCP.ORG COVID-19 Page For Health Care Providers

COVID-19 Quick Links for the Public

Information and Guidance for the Public

Getting Tested

Call ahead if you think you have COVID-19 before going to see your provider.

The most common symptoms of COVID-19 are fever, cough, and shortness of breath. Less common symptoms include sore throat, muscle aches, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.

In order to be tested, your healthcare provider needs to order the test. Do not go to any laboratory or testing site without consulting your provider first.

Multiple drive-thru and drop-in testing sites are now available in San Francisco if you have COVID-19 symptoms and a healthcare provider referral.

Testing will be prioritized for persons with signs and symptoms compatible with COVID-19 who are:

  • Hospitalized patients
  • Residents and staff in skilled nursing or long-term care facilities
  • Persons experiencing homelessness
  • Persons living in congregate settings such as shelters, navigation centers, single-room occupancy hotels (SRO), or correctional facilities
  • Outpatient hemodialysis patients
  • Healthcare personnel and first responders
  • Part of a cluster of cases of pneumonia in a congregate setting that may not be listed above
  • Fatal cases with unexplained pneumonia
  • Close contacts to confirmed cases of COVID-19 infection

Testing by the San Francisco Public Health Laboratory is limited to just the first tier of prioritization.

For testing by hospital and commercial laboratories, in addition to the priority groups above, the following additional persons with signs and symptoms compatible with COVID-19 may be prioritized for testing:

  • Aged 60 years and above
  • Immunocompromised, including patients with HIV or following organ transplantation

If resources further allow:

  • Other symptomatic persons

Frequently Asked Questions About COVID-19

If I have fever, cough, or shortness of breath, do I have novel coronavirus?

It is cold and flu season now, and many people have symptoms of illness that are not related to COVID-19. If you have fever, cough, or shortness of breath, contact your medical provider right away and tell them about your symptoms and any recent travel. Be sure to call ahead before you visit the office, clinic, or hospital, so that the medical provider can prepare for your visit.

What is the treatment if someone gets sick with novel coronavirus?

The treatment right now is to take care of the symptoms. There is no specific treatment for novel coronavirus. Patients who are confirmed to have novel coronavirus will be cared for by health care professionals, working closely with the Department of Public Health.

Is there a vaccine for novel coronavirus?

No. Efforts to develop a vaccine are underway, but currently, there is no vaccine available to protect against novel coronavirus.

How can people reduce their risk of getting sick and prevent the spread of the coronavirus?

Stay home! San Francisco has issued an order for people to stay at home to reduce the spread of COVID-19. Everyone is required to stay home except to get food, care for a relative or friend, get necessary health care, or go to an essential job.  More info about the stay-at-home order is available here.

Other ways people can protect themselves and their loved ones from COVID-19:

  • Wash hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
  • Cover your cough or sneeze.
  • Avoid touching your face with unwashed hands.
  • Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces daily. If surfaces are dirty, clean them using detergent or soap and water prior to disinfection.
  • Wear a cloth face covering, like a bandanna, or scarf, that covers the nose and mouth, if you must go outside
  • Try alternatives to shaking hands, like an elbow bump or wave.
  • Follow the guidance of public health officials.

Should I wear a mask to go outside?

Cloth face coverings, when combined with physical distancing and hand washing, may prevent the spread of COVID-19 when going outside for essential activities. Cloth face coverings should cover the nose and mouth.

Face coverings can be made of a variety of cloth materials, such as bandanas, scarves, t-shirts, sweatshirts or towels. Face coverings should be washed frequently with detergent and hot water and dried on a hot cycle.

Ideally, wash your face covering after each use, and have a dedicated laundry bag or bin. Make sure the covering is comfortable – you do not want to have to keep adjusting the mask, which means touching your face. Always wash your hands, or use hand sanitizer, before AND after touching your face or face coverings.

Medical masks should be preserved for health care workers and first responders.

Please also see the April 2, 2020 Press Release about the current masking recommendation in the Bay Area.

What should I do if I am uninsured and am worried I have COVID-19?

San Franciscans can call 415-682-1740 for new patient appointments with the San Francisco Health Network.

If I am experiencing homelessness and I don’t have a healthcare provider and I’m concerned I might have COVID-19, where can I get healthcare?

You can go to Urgent Care at 50 Ivy Street (also called Whole Person Integrated Care – Urgent Care) during these hours:

  • Monday-Thursday 8:00AM – 6 :30PM
  • Friday 8:00AM – 5:00PM
  • Saturday 9:00AM – 5:00PM

If you are experiencing a medical emergency, seek care at any emergency department.

If I’m recommended for home self-quarantine what should I do?

You should:

  • Stay home, do not go out in public, do not go to work, do not go to school.
  • Do not go to public places where close contact with others might occur such as public gatherings, shopping centers, movie theaters, and stadiums.
  • Do not use public transportation (bus, train, Muni, BART, taxi, ferry, Uber or Lyft)
  • Monitor your health
    • Take your temperature with a thermometer 2 times a day and monitor for fever (100.4oF/38oC or higher)
    • Look out for symptoms such as cough, fever and shortness of breath

If you get sick with fever (100.4°F/38°C or higher), cough, or have trouble breathing:

  • Seek medical care. Call ahead before you go to a doctor’s office or emergency room.
  • Tell your doctor about your recent travel and your symptoms.
  • Avoid contact with others.

I was diagnosed with COVID-19, when can I stop isolating myself at home?

You can stop home isolation when ALL of the following are true:

  • At least 7 days have passed since your symptoms first appeared
  • At least 3 days (72 hours) have passed since you have had a fever (without taking fever-reducing medication)
  • Your other symptoms (for example: cough, shortness of breath, sore throat) started to improve at least 3 days ago

*If you are still coughing at the end of your home isolation, please continue to wear a facemask when you are around others

What is the San Francisco Department of Public Health (SFDPH) doing to protect our health?

The City and County of San Francisco, led by the Department of Public Health, is working on preventing the virus, containing its spread, and reducing harm in the community. We are focused on the most vulnerable groups, including those over the age of 55, people in congregate living settings, and those with chronic medical conditions. However, every sector has a role to play to ensure community health and safety. The health care system, schools, businesses and individuals can all do their part.

Where can I get more information?

More information about COVID-19 in San Francisco can be found on the following pages:

Sign up for the City’s new alert service for official updates: text COVID19SF to 888-777  

Scroll down to see additional websites at the end of this page.

See also COVID-19 FAQs from the CDC