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Board amends and adopts resolution for COVID coordination team as Omicron surge eases; DPH reports higher vaccination and falling case rates
Summary
At a Jan. 25 committee hearing and follow‑on resolution, supervisors heard health officials report Omicron cases have peaked and hospital capacity has held; the board unanimously adopted an amended resolution urging a renewed COVID coordination team, periodic updates and expanded testing and vaccination support for vulnerable communities.
San Francisco — Health department leaders told supervisors on Jan. 25 that the Omicron wave had peaked and that vaccination and booster coverage in the city remained high, and the board adopted an amended resolution calling for an interdepartmental COVID coordination team and regular reports.
On the data: Department of Public Health Director Dr. Grant Colfax said Omicron is more transmissible but less likely to cause severe disease than Delta; he emphasized vaccines and boosters as the primary defense and cited CDC data showing large reductions in hospitalization risk for boosted older adults. In San Francisco officials reported higher testing volume during the surge, average test turnaround times falling to about 1.4 days, and hospital capacity being maintained despite staffing pressure.
Policy steps adopted: Supervisors amended a proposed resolution to remove language seeking a temporary “COVID command center” and instead required formation of a COVID coordination team led by DPH to address variant surges, testing access and vaccine distribution. The board directed that the coordination team present to the board every two months for six months. The resolution was adopted unanimously after amendment.
Operational updates from DPH: Officials told the board they had distributed federal rapid tests to emergency responders, testing sites and community partners and were standing up additional vendor testing capacity to reduce dependence on a single vendor. DPH reported about 82% of residents had completed an initial vaccine series and roughly 63% had received a booster. DPH also said children under 5 were not yet eligible for vaccination and that planning was underway for pediatric vaccination when authorized.
Supervisor questions: Members pressed DPH on testing turnaround, the ability to extract person‑level arrest/interaction data (a matter raised separately in the DOJ update), and access to PPE and high‑grade masks for vulnerable populations. DPH said it had issued a new order to require certain standards for community testing collection sites in response to reports of fraudulent operations and that the city attorney was pursuing enforcement where necessary.
Public comment and next steps: Members of the public urged continued supports for people at higher risk (seniors, people with disabilities, those in congregate or overcrowded housing), access to rapid tests and masks, paid sick leave and protections for essential workers. The board approved continuation of pandemic oversight in this modified coordination form and asked departments to provide bi‑monthly reports for the next six months.
