A message sent from the Office of Communications
February 3, 2022
Dear UCSF Community,
Today, we mark two years since we admitted our first patients to UCSF. This was the just the beginning of a global pandemic of epic proportions that has had life-changing impact. We honor everyone who has answered the call of duty, especially our frontline health care workers.
At tomorrow’s town hall, we will reflect on living and working during this pandemic and take the time to share our feelings. We also will cover the many resources UCSF offers to our community to help us cope with stress and loss.
It’s important to remember just how far we’ve come since February 2020. We’ve learned a lot about how to manage this unpredictable pandemic and every day we gain more knowledge and get more tools to fight the virus, including new therapies and upcoming vaccines for children aged 6 months and older.
And we are preparing to welcome back more members of our community who have been working remotely since stay-at-home orders went into effect. In his message to the UCSF community, Chancellor Hawgood confirmed that March 1 is the date those who have been working remotely may return to on-site work. Please see more details about telework and other important updates below.
Please continue to take the steps necessary to protect yourself, your loved ones and colleagues. By working together, we have the power to turn the tide.
UCSF to Increase On-site Work Beginning March 1 – NEW
Based on public health indicators, including declining infection rates and the high percentage of those in our community who are fully vaccinated with a booster shot, we are confident that by March 1, 2022, we will be prepared to increase on-site work in San Francisco and Oakland. In Fresno, however, conditions are quite different as the region is still experiencing high rates of transmission. UCSF Fresno has set a target date of April 1 for employees working remotely to return to on-site work.
Here are some important points to keep in mind:
- March 1 is the date by which those who have been teleworking may return to on-site work.
- This date does not mean that all employees must return to on-site work.
- The decision about when employees should return to on-site work will be made at the local level as leaders and managers determine work arrangements that are optimal for their respective areas.
- Decisions will be based on the type of job function and the best way to meet business and employee needs.
- More information about telework is posted on the HR website.
Friday Town Hall to Mark Two Years of Pandemic – NEW
Please join Chancellor Sam Hawgood and UCSF experts at the COVID-19 Response Town Hall on Friday, Feb. 4, 2022, at 4 p.m. via Zoom. The 2022 schedule for town halls has been posted on the events calendar here. Tomorrow’s town hall will cover increased on-site work, the extension of the booster deadline to March 1 and other updates described in this digest.
UCSF Extends Booster Compliance Deadline to March 1 – NEW
In alignment with the California Department of Public Health and the UC Office of the President, UCSF is extending the deadline for those who have not yet demonstrated COVID-19 vaccine and booster compliance to March 1, 2022. This is the date by which all those eligible should have received their shot and sent proof of that vaccination to Occupational Health Services or submitted and been approved for an exception. Please note the following:
If you are not fully vaccinated with a booster shot by March 1, 2022:
- You must comply with COVID testing requirements if you work or study on-site
- If you develop COVID infection, you are not eligible for a reduced isolation period
- If you have a high-risk COVID exposure, then you face a mandatory quarantine period of 10 days and you don’t have the option for immediate return to on-site work with testing
- If you are returning from international travel, then you face a mandatory quarantine period of 7 days.
- Those who get a booster at a location outside UCSF, should upload a copy of that record to the Occupational Health Services portal (UCSF MyAccess is required.) Those who cannot connect to VPN should send the document to [email protected]
- Benioff Children’s Hospitals Oakland employees should upload booster documentation to [email protected]
UCSF Revises Hours of Vaccination Sites – REMINDER
UCSF continues to offer free vaccinations at its various campus locations. COVID-19 vaccines remain the best public health measure to protect people from the virus, slow transmission and reduce the likelihood of new variants emerging. Appointments are strongly recommended via MyChart or by calling (415) 476-3307. If you get a busy signal or can’t connect, call (866) 580-2664. A limited number of drop-in slots available. Here are the locations and hours of operation for these vaccination sites:
- Laurel Heights campus (serving people aged five and older)
3333 California St., Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. as well as select Saturdays. Closed noon to 1 p.m. - Parnassus Heights campus (serving people aged 16 and older who are UCSF patients, employees and learners only) Millberry Union, 500 Parnassus Ave., Ocean View Room, Mondays andh Fridays, Feb. 4, 7, 11, 14, 18 from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. This site will be closed on Feb. 21 and resuming Monday and Friday with the last day on March 11, 2022.
- Mission Bay campus (serving people aged 16 and older) 601 16th Street (corner of 16 and Owens streets), Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Closed noon to 1 p.m.
- UCSF Fresno campus: Vaccines are available for everyone aged five and up. Booster shots are available at the UCSF Fresno COVID-19 Equity Project at 550 E. Shaw Ave. in Fresno. Details: www.fresno.ucsf.edu/cep Faculty and trainees who work at Community Health System may schedule appointments through MyChart for boosters at their Fresno and Clovis vaccine clinics.
- BCH Oakland campus: Please schedule booster shots through MyChart or call (510) 428-3885, extension 5793#.
- Californians can visit the My Turn website or call (833) 422-4255 to make an appointment or find a nearby vaccine location.
UCSF Revises Guidelines to Return to On-site Work After Recovery from COVID-19 Positive Test – REMINDER
The UCSF Daily Health Screener now provides an option for employees recovered from COVID-19 to shorten their isolation time from 10 days to five days under certain conditions without needing to contact the COVID Hotline if required steps are completed.
- The process begins when a person tests positive for COVID-19. Go to the Daily Health screener, answer the questions and complete the Occupational Health Services (OHS) contact survey.
- Requirements for return include the employee is fully vaccinated (includes booster or not yet booster eligible), has isolated for at least five days and has a negative antigen test at UCSF before returning to work. They must also attest to complying with certain conditions upon their return.
- More information about the return-to-campus/worksite is posted on the Guidance for Employees webpage here. An infographic that depicts the process is available here, which also includes guidance on returning from high-risk exposures.
- Benioff Children’s Hospital Oakland employees will be notified through the BCH Oakland Employee Health department.
Steps to Return to On-site Work Following COVID-19 Symptoms – REMINDER
Please see the steps below to ensure that you don’t experience delays in returning to work onsite after experiencing COVID-19 symptoms.
- Complete Daily Health Screener to report symptoms (including allergies), provide “preferred phone number,” complete the OHS contact survey as indicated on the screener and receive a “Not Cleared to Work” screen. This will expedite the process with OHS and the return to campus/worksite.
- Get tested for COVID-19. Instructions in the Daily Health screener gives options (use link at bottom of “Not Cleared” screen.)
- For mild or moderate symptoms, get a Color test for a 24- to 48-hour turnaround
- Get UCSF clinical lab test for the fastest, less than a 24-hour turnaround
- Get a local test outside UCSF, and send results to [email protected]
- Regardless of where a COVID test is completed, the COVID Response Team clearance is required before returning to onsite work.
- Repeat the Daily Health Screener after receiving a clearance letter from OHS. The timeline will be different depending on whether a person qualifies for a shortened isolation period or must isolate for the entire 10 days.
- The Daily Health Screener will provide the return-to-work clearance once an person has completed the OHS contact survey and met the criteria for returning to work.
- Benioff Children’s Hospital (BCH) Oakland employees will be notified through BCH Oakland Employee Health department.
Automated Clearance for Return to On-site Work After High-Risk Exposures – REMINDER
UCSF is implementing guidance from the California Department of Public Health for employees and learners returning to on-site work following high-risk exposure to COVID-19. Here’s what you should know:
- The UCSF Daily Health Screener will allow vaccinated employees and learners who have had a high-risk exposure to attest to eligibility criteria and a daily COVID-19 testing protocol to continue on-site work through an automated self-clearance process from the COVID Response Team.
- Detailed instructions on further testing and other requirements are being sent to those who will return to on-site work or study.
UCSF Requires Proof of Booster Shots to Eat Indoors – REMINDER
In alignment with San Francisco Department of Public Health order, UCSF is requiring all those wishing to eat indoors at campus eateries to show proof of full COVID-19 vaccination, including a booster shot. Please note that hospital cafeterias are not subject to this requirement. Acceptable forms of proof for customers who want to dine indoors at UCSF include:
- UCSF ID with COVID booster sticker (a green square)
- Original copy or picture of Centers for Disease Control and Prevention vaccination card
- Personal digital copy of COVID vaccination record issued by the State of California or by an approved private company. Visit California’s Digital COVID-19 Vaccine Record portal and enter some details to access a digital copy
- Documentation from a health care provider
Customers also need to show government issued photo identification (driver’s license or passport) or their UCSF ID.