Essential Workers, Symptomatic Residents Can Now Get Coronavirus Tests

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San Francisco Mayor London Breed. Screen capture from SFGovTV

City officials on Wednesday announced expanded access to coronavirus testing. Tests have become available to essential workers who must leave their homes to work and to anyone who has symptoms, regardless of ability to pay. A doctor’s note is not needed to schedule a test, nor is insurance, though those who have it will be asked to provide their insurance information when they schedule the test. Jail inmates will also be tested.

A new testing site is to open in the Western Addition next to the Maxine Hall Health Center on Thursday. This testing site will be an addition to Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital, Castro Mission Health Center and Southeast Health Center. The increased availability of testing is instrumental to San Francisco’s ability to continue flattening the curve, said Dr. Grant Colfax, head of the department of public health.

“The number of hospitalizations have been holding relatively steady for the past two weeks,” Colfax said. “If you look at the graph, at the date tracker, you can see that the curve is flat. San Francisco, you made that happen.”

Listen to the full press conference below. Other developments:

  • Mayor London Breed announced that a SOMA testing site is open for anyone who exhibits symptoms (10:35)
  • Colfax gave an overview of case numbers. 1,233 active cases have been confirmed in San Francisco, and 21 people have died. (28:30)
  • Police Chief Bill Scott said 16 citations have been issued to seven businesses and nine individuals for violating coronavirus health orders. Seventy-one people, 48 representing businesses and 23 individuals, have been given warnings. (44:04)
  • Scott also described how police will enforce a recent rule that residents wear face masks when in essential businesses or on transit (45:36)
  • Breed discussed legislation to facilitate financial aid to gig workers (56:10)
  • Breed discussed budget cuts and layoffs (56:58)
  • Colfax said the city will be testing predominantly black, Latino and Chinese Americans (58:40)
  • Colfax said the city’s testing capacity will increase from 50 to 200 tests per day. (1:09:00)
  • Abigail Stuart Kahn, director of the department of homelessness and supportive housing, responds to a question about city supervisor’s proposal to open sanctioned encampments to help homeless people socially distance (1:07:40)

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A segment from our radio show, “Civic.” Listen daily at 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. on 102.5 FM in San Francisco.