A message sent from the Office of Communications
January 19, 2022
Dear UCSF Community,
We have some good news to share with you.
First, we are grateful for the more than 70 employees and learners who have signed up in the labor pool to volunteer to help fill critical staffing positions.
Second, 88 percent of eligible employees and learners have received a booster shot, giving them more protection against the Omicron variant and enabling them to meet UCSF’s deadline of Jan. 31, 2022, for full vaccination against COVID-19. We hope more employees get boosted when they become eligible.
Third, the number of new COVID-19-positive cases in the UCSF community in San Francisco is steadily decreasing from the 200 cases per day we saw during the Omicron surge that began late last year.
And finally, while COVID-19 tests have been difficult to get, today every household can sign up to get free home test kits through a new website launched by the Biden administration.
We are making progress in this pandemic and appreciate your ongoing commitment to ensuring the health and safety of our UCSF community and the patients we serve. Please read other important updates below.
UCSF Revises Hours, Locations of Vaccination Sites – NEW
UCSF has extended hours of operations and added Mission Bay as a vaccination site to help all those eligible to get their booster shots. 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, Monday through Friday, Jan. 21, 2022, from 6:10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
- 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.
- Mount Zion campus (serving employees only) 1600 Divisadero Street, second floor, Herbst Hall, Room B248 (Behind the elevator bank in the B building), Mondays and Wednesdays, 7:15 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Wednesday, Jan. 19, Monday, Jan. 24 and Wednesday, Jan. 26, 2022 - 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: Booster shots are available 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 20, Monday, Jan. 24, Wednesday, Jan. 26 and Thursday, Jan 27. Schedule through MyChart or call (510) 428-3885, extension 5793#.
Please also note the following:
- 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]
- Californians can visit the My Turn website or call (833) 422-4255 to make an appointment or find a nearby vaccine location.
UCSF Revises Return-to-Campus/Worksite Guidelines After Recovery from COVID-19 Positive Test – NEW
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.
UCSF Addresses Workforce Shortages with Labor Pool – NEW
UCSF continues to monitor the impact of the current Omicron surge on staffing in critical areas, including patient care and Occupational Health Services. A labor pool team is working to prioritize needs with available resources by redeploying employees where they are needed most. Here’s way you should know:
- To request staffing to meet critical staffing positions, please escalate the request to a manager or director who will then reach out to UCSF Health and campus leaders.
- To volunteer to be redeployed, submit your name through tiny.ucsf.edu/laborpoolrecruit
UCSF Revises Domestic Travel Policy – NEW
Vaccinated travelers returning from domestic travel (interstate) no longer need to complete a two-part testing requirement before coming back to campus. UCSF is maintaining the two-part test for international travel, however. Below are the highlights:
- Regardless of vaccination status, all individuals returning to onsite work or study within 10 days following international travel are required to take and submit an approved COVID-19 test within 24 hours of entering a UCSF facility (before or during first day onsite).
- A second COVID-19 test is required three to five days following the first UCSF test.
Friday Town Hall to Cover Omicron Surge and New UCSF Policies – NEW
Please join Chancellor Sam Hawgood and UCSF experts at the COVID-19 Response Town Hall on Friday, Jan, 21, 2022, at 4 p.m. via Zoom. The 2022 schedule for town halls has been posted on the events calendar here. Friday’s town hall will cover important UCSF policy updates described here and an update on the Omicron surge.
UCSF Requires Proof of Booster Shots to Eat Indoors – NEW
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.
Driver Shortage Impacts UCSF Shuttle Services – NEW
UCSF Transportation is experiencing a shortage of shuttle drivers due to the current surge in COVID-19 cases. Unfortunately, UCSF expects the driver shortage and the corresponding shuttle service impacts to continue for the next few weeks. The most current information about service disruptions will be posted on the Transportation website and UCSF mobile app.
Automated Return-to-Campus/Worksite Clearance 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.
Jan. 31 Deadline for Booster Shots Approaches – REMINDER
UCSF has set a deadline of Jan. 31, 2022, for all eligible members of the UCSF community to get booster shots whether they work on site or remotely. Here’s what you should know:
- If you have recently tested positive for COVID, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidance recommends getting a booster dose after symptoms resolve and the period of isolation ends. UCSF has allowed for 31 days after the date of testing positive to obtain a booster.
- Eligible employees who do not meet the Jan. 31, 2022, deadline will be subject to progressive corrective action up to and including dismissal from employment, pursuant to policy and collective bargaining agreements.
- Those eligible for booster shots are:
- five months post their second shot of Moderna and Pfizer
- two months post their single shot of Johnson & Johnson
- Following a positive COVID-19 test, individuals should get a booster shot after they have completed their required isolation period and their symptoms have resolved.
Mandatory COVID-19 Testing for Non-Boosted Personnel – REMINDER
UCSF continues to offer free COVID-19 testing for employees and learners as noted on the coronavirus website. Recently, UCSF has instituted a new testing mandate based on guidance from the California Department of Public Health. Here’s what you need to know:
- Effective immediately, the CDPH requires all on-site workers not vaccinated with a booster to be tested on-site for COVID-19 twice a week.
- In any given week, tests should be taken no more than four days apart.
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.
Personal Protective Equipment for Health Care Workers – REMINDER
UCSF Health recently has updated Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) guidelines in the inpatient and outpatient settings for health care personnel. An N95 mask enhances protection when in close contact with a patient, caretaker, or employee who has COVID-19 that is not yet diagnosed. Here’s what health care workers should know:
- N95s are strongly recommended
- Eye protection is required
- PPE re-use and extended use will be reinstated as noted in this document
- For care of patients on Novel Respiratory (in addition to eye protection, gloves, and gown) and Airborne Isolation, a fit-tested N95 (or PAPR) is required.
- For other patients or indications, a fit-tested N95 is not required.
- Under all other circumstances, employees and learners on campus and at the health system can use an N95 if preferred.
UCSF Locations of N95 Masks
Clinical Buildings: N95s can be found in clinical areas for patient-facing staff. For those in the health system without access to these spaces, please contact Materials Management via phone or the online Medical Center Support Services at your respective location or ask your manager.
- Moffitt-Long: (415) 353-1837
- Mission Bay: (415) 476-1116
- Mount Zion: (415) 885-7255
- BCH Oakland: (510) 428 3885 x2126
Campus Buildings: For those on campus, you can find N95s at security stations and through your unit control point (your manager will know who that is).
UCSF Revises Events and Meetings Guidelines – REMINDER
UCSF updated its guidance for meetings and events. Planners for events in February will be contacted to encourage them to postpone, move to virtual or adhere to red-tier event matrix guidelines. The following points apply to all UCSF-sponsored events both onsite and offsite:
- Indoor meetings are now limited to 100 people until further notice.
- A 50 percent capacity restriction applies to indoor meetings.
- Food and drinks are not allowed.
- All attendees must wear face coverings.
- Non-sponsored UCSF events are expected to adhere to local jurisdictions' public health orders.