San Francisco, CA – London Mayor N. Breed and the San Francisco Department of Public Health (SFDPH) today announced a local emergency declaration to strengthen the city’s preparedness and response to rapidly growing Monkeypox cases. This action will accelerate and simplify the availability of resources to better respond to this developing health emergency.
The local emergency declaration is a legal action that will mobilize city resources, accelerate emergency planning, streamline staffing, coordinate agencies across the city, enable future reimbursements from state and federal governments, and raise awareness in all of San Francisco about how everyone can stop Monkeypox from spreading to our community. It will take effect on August 1st.
“San Francisco demonstrated during COVID that early action is essential to protect public health,” Mayor London Breed said. “We know this virus impacts everyone equally, but we also know that members of our LGBTQ community are most at risk right now. Many people in our LGBTQ community are scared and frustrated. This local emergency will allow us to continue supporting our most at risk, preparing us even better for what is to come. “
Currently, SFDPH has confirmed 261 cases of monkeypox in San Francisco. There are reportedly 799 cases in California, over 4,600 cases in the United States, and more than 19,000 cases globally (in 76 countries).
“We need to be prepared and this statement will enable us to better serve the city,” said Director of Health Dr Grant Colfax. “Our response to COVID-19 has taught us that mobilizing the city’s resources is essential. The statement helps us ensure we have all tools available to increase our reach, testing and treatment, particularly for LGBTQ + people who remain at the highest risk for Monkeypox. “
“San Francisco is an epicenter for the country. 30% of all cases in California are in San Francisco, “said Susan Philip, head of public health in San Francisco.” We have always been at the forefront of LGBTQ + health advocacy and action and I am releasing this. statement to reaffirm our commitment to the well-being of these communities and to enable us to move faster to obtain and distribute the resources needed to help those disproportionately affected ”.
As Monkeypox cases continue to rise in San Francisco, demand for the vaccine remains high and an additional supply is needed to stop the spread in the community. This week, San Francisco is expected to receive 4,220 doses of Monkeypox vaccine. SFDPH initially required 35,000 doses of the monkeypox vaccine to meet the needs of San Franciscans. Including this week’s budget, Council has received only about 12,000 doses to date.
“I am grateful that San Francisco, under the leadership of Mayor Breed, understands the profound public health threat posed by Monkeypox,” said Senator Scott Wiener. “San Francisco has been at the forefront of public health responses to HIV and COVID-19, and we will be at the forefront when it comes to Monkeypox. We cannot and will not leave the LGTBQ community dry.”
Although the Monkeypox virus impacts all people, the data shows significant spread in the San Francisco LGTBQ community at higher rates. However, anyone regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity can become infected and spread monkeypox. The local emergency declaration will also provide adequate support for San Francisco’s LGTBQ population.
“I am grateful to our public health officer, Dr Susan Philip, for declaring this state of emergency,” said supervisor Rafael Mandelman. “In the face of a frustrating and slow federal response, it is even more important to be able to mobilize all available local resources to get vaccines into arms as quickly and fairly as possible.”
“I strongly support the decision of our local public health authorities to declare a public health emergency for Monkeypox and I think it is important for San Franciscans to understand that this is not alarmism but preparation,” said supervisor Matt Dorsey. “It is a cautious step, in line with recent moves by the World Health Organization and the US Department of Health and Human Services. I think it also reflects the” San Francisco Model “of care, which is rooted in the former. our city’s response to the AIDS crisis a generation ago, and that puts us far ahead of other cities’ response to COVID-19 in 2020. It prioritizes the health and safety of at-risk populations in San Francisco and the I will support on the Board of Supervisors “.
The city has worked diligently to increase the implementation of vaccine testing, treatment and distribution in response to the spread of the Monkeypox virus. San Francisco has a significant number of Monkeypox cases and does not have a sufficient supply of vaccines for the number of people in need. SFDPH will continue to request additional vaccine appropriations from the state and distribute them to community clinics, health systems and other places where they are needed.
Additionally, SFDPH is also reaching out to communities to raise awareness and education on monkeypox, the city’s response, and ensure doctors remain well-informed about monkeypox testing, infection control, and management while the health emergency develops.
Monkeypox is spread through prolonged skin-to-skin contact, which includes sex, kissing, breathing at very close range, and sharing bedding and clothing. As SFDPH continues to advocate for more vaccines for our city, here are some additional preventative measures you can take to reduce the risk of infection:
To find further guidance on monkeypox, including local case counts and updates on vaccine provision, visit this page.
