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.
Leah Rorvig Develop “Providing Acute Care for Seriously Ill Incarcerated Patients in the Community: Frequently Asked Questions” Webinar
Leah Rorvig, MD developed a webinar entitled “Providing Acute Care for Seriously Ill Incarcerated Patients in the Community: Frequently Asked Questions” which answers questions frequently asked by community clinicians (including physicians, nurses, social workers, and chaplains) who may be participating in the care of hospitalized incarcerated patients during the COVID-19 pandemic.
COVID-19 News Coverage
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 publications here.
How San Francisco has kept its coronavirus numbers low
NBC News I April 11, 2020
Armond Esmaili and Bob Wachter were interviewed on NBC News regarding San Francisco’s early action on Covid-19 and UCSF's continuing efforts to reduce the number of new cases.
49ers’ Super Bowl loss a life-saver for Bay Area? UCSF doctor calls it a gift
San Francisco Chronicle I April 11, 2020
Niraj Sehgal was quoted in a SF Chronicle article describing the 49ers’ Superbowl loss as a "gift" for the bay area in preventing an early epidemic of Covid-19.
Is it safe to come out? SF Bay Area may provide clues for the nation
Politico I April 10, 2020
Bob Wachter was quoted in a Politico article explaining the need for adequate Covid-19 testing to determine when to lift shelter in place orders.
Who lies beneath the flattened curve: LatinX and COVID-19
San Francisco Examiner I April 9, 2020
Alicia Fernández, Marlene Martin, and Kirsten Bibbins-Domingo wrote an op-ed in the SF Examiner regarding how the LatinX community has been disproportionally affected by Covid-19.
Isolation is linked to decline for seniors. That makes social distancing a frightening prospect
Philadelphia Inquirer I April 9, 2020
Carla Perissinotto was featured in a Philadelphia Inquirer article discussing the health effects that prolonged isolation might have on elderly people, particularly during the Covid-19 pandemic.
How San Francisco plans to trace every coronavirus case and contact
MIT Technology Review I April 8, 2020
Michael Reid appeared in a MIT Technology Review article discussing San Francisco’s efforts in establishing a task force to trace the interactions of people who have tested positive for COVID-19.
New Research Links Air Pollution to Higher Coronavirus Death Rates
New York Times I April 7, 2020
John Balmes was quoted in a NY Times article regarding a new study that links air pollution to higher Covid-19 death rates.
Answering Your Coronavirus Questions: Medicine, Social Distancing And Mental Health
NPR I April 7, 2020
Jinoos Yazdany appeared in a NPR podcast “All Things Considered” answering questions about various medications for COVID-19, including hydroxychloroquine.
UCSF's Bob Wachter on Newest Covid-19 Science, Bay Area Numbers
KQED News I April 7, 2020
Bob Wachter was interviewed in a KQED News article discussing how the Bay Area’s efforts to “flatten the curve” are representative of the projections for the peak of Covid-19 cases in California.
How SF battle with HIV/AIDS shaped today’s coronavirus response
San Francisco Chronicle I April 5, 2020
Monica Gandhi and Diane Havlir were featured in a SF Chronicle article describing how the AIDS epidemic has informed the response of the medical community to Covid-19.
Coronavirus Twitter: These Bay Area doctors are educating the public and becoming social media stars
San Francisco Chronicle I April 4, 2020
Bob Wachter and Peter Chin-Hong were featured in a SF Chronicle article about UCSF faculty using social media to educate the public about the pandemic.
What Happens If You’re Seriously Ill and It’s Not From Covid-19?
Bloomberg I April 4, 2020
Bob Wachter was quoted in a Bloomberg article discussing how UCSF is handling non-Covid-19 related procedures during the pandemic.
Big guns fighting the coronavirus
San Francisco Chronicle I April 3, 2020
Carolyn Calfee and Annie Luetkemeyer were interviewed in a SF Chronicle article regarding their work in understanding Covid-19 and their efforts towards developing a treatment.
What California is doing right in responding to the coronavirus pandemic
CNN I April 3, 2020
Bob Wachter appeared in a CNN News article commending California’s prompt response to the Covid-19 crisis and continued efforts to “flatten the curve.”
Palliative Care Doctors Turn to Technology to Help Those Dying Alone
KQED News I April 3, 2020
Steven Pantilat discussed in a KQED News article how to provide care remotely during the Covid-19 pandemic.
The Pandemic Exposes the Shared Fates of the Jailed and the Jailer
The Appeal I April 3, 2020
Cyrus Ahalt authored an op-ed in The Appeal discussing the importance of taking immediate action to slow the spread of Covid-19 cases in both incarcerated and correctional workforce populations.
For Homeless People, Covid-19 Is Horror on Top of Horror
Wired I April 2, 2020
Margot Kushel appeared in a Wired article regarding the overwhelming obstacles to the treatment and care of the homeless population during the Covid-19 crisis.
Coronavirus Crisis Drives Demand for Palliative Care
Wall Street Journal I April 2, 2020
Alex Smith was quoted in a Wall Street Journal article about the increase in palliative care services due to the Covid-19 crisis.
Bay Area may be seeing 'early signs of flattening,' but it's too early to know for sure, experts say
SF Gate I March 31, 2020
Bob Wachter was quoted in a SF Gate article discussing the slower rise of new coronavirus cases and the possibility of “flattening the curve” in the Bay Area
San Francisco is beating the coronavirus odds — so far. What can other places learn?
USA Today I March 31, 2020
Bob Wachter authored an op-ed in USA Today sharing his perspective on the effectiveness of San Francisco’s early action to minimize the spread of new Covid-19 cases, and the importance of sustained vigilance going forward.
So You Tested Positive for COVID-19. How Long Should You Isolate Yourself?
KQED News I March 31, 2020
Sajan Patel was featured in a KQED News article recommending patients to refer to the CDC’s guidelines when determining the length of isolation needed after testing positive for Covid-19.
8 strains of the coronavirus are circling the globe. Here's what clues they're giving scientists.
USA Today I March 27, 2020
Charles Chiu appeared in an article in USA Today explaining the mutation rate of Covid-19 and tracking the different strains circling the globe.
A Public Health Doctor and Head of Corrections Agree: We Must Immediately Release People from Jails and Prisons
The Appeal I March 27, 2020
Brie Williams wrote an article in The Appeal advocating for the immediate release of incarcerated people to curtail the spread of Covid-19 in prisons.
Bay Area Could Run Short on Hospital Beds Amid COVID-19 Patient Surge
NBC Bay Area I March 24, 2020
John Balmes was featured in a NBC Bay Area article addressing the lack of hospital resources in the Bay Area to combat increasing cases of Covid-19.
The man behind the sequencing of the coronavirus could have keys to the disease
San Francisco Chronicle I March 22, 2020
Charles Chiu was highlighted in a SF Chronicle article regarding his work in sequencing coronavirus genomes in the Bay Area.
The COVID-19 Prison Crisis Is About To Become A Community Crisis
Forbes I March 22, 2020
Brie Williams appeared in a Forbes article discussing the impacts of Covid-19 on incarcerated people.
No, Coronavirus Is Not ‘Just Killing Old People’
Bloomberg Media CityLab I March 20, 2020
Louise Aronson appeared in a Bloomberg Media CityLab article discussing how the relationship to age and aging is affecting the way we have come to understand the Covid-19 crisis.
Coronavirus risk looms large for America’s elderly and sick prison population
Quartz I March 20, 2020
Brie Williams was quoted in a Quartz article addressing the need to reevaluate incarceration for elderly individuals to reduce the risk posed by Covid-19.
SF moves to release inmates fearing coronavirus outbreak behind bars
San Francisco Examiner I March 19, 2020
Brie Williams appeared in a San Francisco Examiner article advocating for a reduction in SF inmate population to get ahead of a possible coronavirus outbreak.
How the Elderly Are Handling the Coronavirus Outbreak
KQED News I March 19, 2020
Louise Aronson appeared in a KQED News article discussing the increased difficulties for seniors during the Covid-19 crisis.
Amid Pandemic, Programs Struggle To Reach Vulnerable Seniors Living At Home
Kaiser Health News I March 18, 2020
Carla Perissinotto was featured in an article in Kaiser Health News explaining how to care for elderly people living at home during the pandemic.
Worried about coronavirus? If your loved one is over 60, read this
CNN I March 13, 2020
Carla Perissinotto was featured in an article in CNN News explaining methods to prevent the spread of coronavirus in people 60 and older.
Bay Area nursing homes ban or restrict visits to limit high coronavirus risk
San Francisco Chronicle I March 11, 2020
Michi Yukawa was interviewed in a San Francisco Chronicle article regarding measures being implemented to protect vulnerable nursing home residents during the pandemic.
As Coronavirus Spreads, How You Can Protect a Family Member in a Nursing Home
New York Times I March 6, 2020
Michi Yukawa was interviewed in a New York Times article discussing the challenges of caring for a loved one who requires a nursing home during the Covid-19 crisis.
The Coronavirus Outbreak Could Finally Make Telemedicine Mainstream in the U.S.
TIME I March 3, 2020
Julia Adler-Milstein was quoted in Time Magazine discussing policy changes that could help promote telemedicine in the face of the coronavirus epidemic.
ABC7 News tours SF General ICU isolation rooms amid coronavirus concerns
ABC 7 News I February 4, 2020
Lisa Winston was featured in a ABC7 News article explaining ZSFG's isolation policies in light of coronavirus concerns.
Coronavirus: UCSF expert working on quicker diagnostic test to stop spread
San Francisco Chronicle I January 30, 2020
Charles Chiu was featured in a San Francisco Chronicle article discussing his work to develop a simple diagnostic test to detect the coronavirus.
DOM Publications
COVID-19 Infection: implications for perioperative and critical care physicians.
Greenland JR, Michelow MD, Wang L, London MJ. COVID-19 Infection: implications for perioperative and critical care physicians. Anesthesiology. 2020 March 27; [Epub ahead of print]. doi: 10.1097/ALN.0000000000003303. View in: PubMed
Elevated plasmin(ogen) as a common risk factor for COVID-19 susceptibility.
Ji HL, Zhao R, Matalon S, Matthay MA. Elevated plasmin(ogen) as a common risk factor for COVID-19 susceptibility. Physiol Rev. 2020 March 27; 100(3):1065-1075. View in: PubMed
Treatment for severe acute respiratory distress syndrome from COVID-19.
Matthay MA, Aldrich JM, Gotts JE. Treatment for severe acute respiratory distress syndrome from COVID-19. Lancet Respir Med. 2020 March 20; [Epub ahead of print]. doi: 10.1016/S2213-2600(20)30127-2. View in: PubMed
Correctional facilities in the shadow of COVID-19: unique challenges and proposed solutions.
Williams BA, Ahalt C, Cloud DH, et al. Correctional facilities in the shadow of COVID-19: unique challenges and proposed solutions. Health Affairs Blog. 2020 March 26; doi: 10.1377/hblog20200324.784502. View in: Health Affairs