DOM In the News

Read about how the Department of Medicine is responding to the outbreak of the coronavirus respiratory illness COVID-19. See related COVID-19 publications.

visualization of an evolutionary tree of covid-19 viral genomes

California braces for troubling new variant as U.S. nears 400,000 deaths

San Francisco Chronicle |

Charles Chiu was quoted in SF Chronicle about identifying the new variant in California and conducting investigations into whether L452R is more infectious.

vial of covid-19 vaccine

Allergic reactions at one San Diego site led state to shelf 330,000 vaccine doses

San Francisco Chronicle |

Monica Gandhi was quoted in the SF Chronicle about CDPH’s decision to halt the use of 330,000 vaccine doses after six health care workers developed severe allergic reactions.   

dr. charles chiu extracting samples of genome sequencing of the coronavirus

Bay Area has its own scary new virus variant: Why experts are so concerned

San Francisco Chronicle |

Charles Chiu was featured in the SF Chronicle describing the discovery of the L452R variant, its circulation outside of California, and known viral spread.

nurse administering the covid-19 vaccine

Here's who actually determines who gets vaccinated in California

SF Gate |

Monica Gandhi was quoted in the SF Gate describing how California counties and health care providers can only distribute vaccines as fast as the state supplies available doses. 

health care worker administering a covid-19 nasal swab test

New coronavirus variant found in Bay Area linked to massive Kaiser outbreak

San Francisco Chronicle |

Charles Chiu was quoted in the SF Chronicle describing how preliminary data on the L452R variant raises the concern that there may be some impact on the effectiveness of the coronavirus vaccines. 

moderna vaccine being prepared

New virus variant poses threat even as Bay Area hospitalizations level off

San Francisco Chronicle |

Charles Chiu and Peter Chin-Hong were quoted in the SF Chronicle expressing concerns about the potentially more infectious variant and urging the public to remain vigilant in mask-wearing and physical-distancing to stop further infection. 

christmas tree costume suspected of being the source of a covid19 outbreak

L452R Covid Variant Increasing In Bay Area, Connected To SJ Kaiser Outbreak

SF Gate |

Charles Chiu was quoted in the SF Gate describing efforts in studying the L452R variant to further understand the transmission and evolution of the virus as the spread increases in California.

kcbs radio logo

A Dose of Reality as California's Vaccine Rollout Sputters

KCBS Radio |

Bob Wachter was interviewed on KCBS Radio (6:38) describing the challenges in California’s vaccine rollout and distribution to local communities, hospitals, and pharmacies.

exploratorium after dark vaccine discussion

After Dark Online: Vaccines

Exploratorium's After Dark Online |

Bob Wachter and Kirsten Bibbins-Domingo were interviewed on Exploratorium’s After Dark Online discussing the Covid-19 vaccine rollout and emerging new variants. 

cartoon of medical grand round panelists

UCSF Grand Rounds: Vaccine rollout, herd immunity, and the threat of emerging mutations

Mission Local |

Bob Wachter was quoted in a Mission Local article regarding the Medicine Grand Rounds discussion on vaccine rollout, herd immunity, and the threat of emerging variants. 

woman receiving moderna vaccine

California opens vaccinations to everyone 65 and older, as hospitals struggle with Covid-19 surge

San Francisco Chronicle |

Bob Wachter was quoted in the SF Chronicle about new guidelines allowing anyone 65 and older to qualify for Covid-19 vaccines. 

a double mask wearer in new york city

One Mask Is Good. Would Two Be Better?

New York Times |

Monica Gandhi was quoted in the New York Times explaining that masks are necessary for protecting both the mask-wearers and the people around them. 

bob wachter on abc news

California Covid Crisis

ABC News |

Bob Wachter was interviewed on ABC News (2:25) about California’s escalating Covid-19 crisis and the painfully slow vaccine rollout. 

LAFD mobile coronavirus testing unit

‘Our New York Moment’: Southern California Reels as Virus Surges

New York Times |

Bob Wachter was quoted in the New York Times about how the spread of the virus is profoundly more dire in Southern Californian than the San Francisco Bay Area. 

recovered covid patient released from hospital in wuhan

6 Months After Leaving the Hospital, Covid Survivors Still Face Lingering Health Issues

New York Times |

Steven Deeks and Michael Peluso were quoted in the New York Times describing how Covid survivors are experiencing health issues that might have long-term consequences.