colfax? >> please, dr. phillips. >> for the people taking it at home, these are waived tests meaning they are created specifically to be safe to be disposed in regular trash and does not require a special bio hazard bag or disposal. it's a different story when we talk about the rapid tests in a medical setting and those are disposed the way we do in a medical setting and it poses no harm to anyone in the household or anyone collecting the trash and doing that type of work. >> supervisor chan: thank you. i have no more questions. thank you, president walton. >> president walton: thank you, supervisor chan. supervisor peskin. >> supervisor peskin: thank you, president walton. and i sincerely want to thank dr. colfax and our chief health officer and dr. baba and all of the staff at the department of public health. i have been particularly focused in a very dense area of the city where there's a lot of congregate settings of shared bathrooms and shared kitchens namely s.r.o.s and i know others of you have and t

colfax? >> please, dr. phillips. >> for the people taking it at home, these are waived tests meaning they are created specifically to be safe to be disposed in regular trash and does not require a special bio hazard bag or disposal. it's a different story when we talk about the rapid tests in a medical setting and those are disposed the way we do in a medical setting and it poses no harm to anyone in the household or anyone collecting the trash and doing that type of work. >> supervisor chan: thank you. i have no more questions. thank you, president walton. >> president walton: thank you, supervisor chan. supervisor peskin. >> supervisor peskin: thank you, president walton. and i sincerely want to thank dr. colfax and our chief health officer and dr. baba and all of the staff at the department of public health. i have been particularly focused in a very dense area of the city where there's a lot of congregate settings of shared bathrooms and shared kitchens namely s.r.o.s and i know others of

colfax? please welcome for an update on the covid-19 omicron variant and what is happening in san francisco here is dr. grant colfax. >> good morning everybody. thank you, mayor breed for your leadership as we enter the third year of the pandemic. third year. we are seeing covid-19 cases drop relatively rapidly in the city. we can now say that we are on the beginning of the downward trajectory with regard to the surge. latest data showcases peaked on january 9 with seven day average of 2164 cases per day. it has steadily dropped each day since then to 1076 per day on january 12th. this is good news. it has been a rocky start to 2022. hang in there a little longer. the surge is not over yet. hospitalizations which trail the peak in cases will still continue to go up. fortunately, for now we expect to meet capacity within the healthcare system to take care of people with covid and other healthcare needs in the hospitals. we are urging people to remain particularly vigilant for a little bit long

colfax, in your report, you mentioned dr. phillips' concern that some of the health systems are not really doing their part for testing and are sending not only their employees but others who walk in the door, potential patients to be tested at the d.p.h. testing site. is there anything more that you can do or dr. phillips can do with this so-called concern to get the other health systems to do their part? is there any push or anything that can be done? >> yes. i'll let dr. phillips answer that. i will say we've been reaching out directly to other hospital system leaders to ensure that they have insight into the situation to work with them to collectively problem solve around this issue. this so we're working with them but we're going to see unprecedented demand and quite frankly d.p.h. is carrying a huge burden here. however, whenever we can, but we are really calling upon other health care systems to do their part different health care systems are a different change in that regard. others it's not clear at this time what th

colfax? >> please, dr.e people taking it at home, these are waived tests meaning they are created specifically to be safe to be disposed in regular trash and does not require a special bio hazard bag or disposal. it's a different story when we talk about the rapid tests in a medical setting and those are disposed the way we do in a medical setting and it poses no harm to anyone in the household or anyone collecting the trash and doing that type of work. >> supervisor chan: thank you. i have no more questions. thank you, president walton. >> president walton: thank you, supervisor chan. supervisor peskin. >> supervisor peskin: thank you, president walton. and i sincerely want to thank dr. colfax and our chief health officer and dr. baba and all of the staff at the department of public health. i have been particularly focused in a very dense area of the city where there's a lot of congregate settings of shared bathrooms and shared kitchens namely s.r.o.s and i know others of you have and thank you for your su

colfax. detector moritz, do we have any public comment? >> clerk: folks on the line if you like to make a comment please press star 3 so we can acknowledge you. i don't see any. >> president bernal: thank you very much. our next item is approval of the minutes of the health commission meeting of december 7, 2021. commissioners, you have the minutes before you. are there any amendment or if not a motion to approve? >> motion to approve. >> second. >> clerk: let's check public comment. folks on the line if you like to make comment on item 3, the minutes, please press star 3. i do not see any hands. i'll do a roll call vote. [roll call vote]. thank you. the item passes. >> president bernal: next item is general public comment. >> clerk: folks on the line if you like to make comment about something not on the agenda, please press star 3 now to comment. actually, commissioners, something happened where i'm not able to use my mouse to see. can someone see if there's hands up. i'm not able to use my

colfax. i just want to reiterate for the programs like salvation army. alcohol abuse, the latino commission, these are all programs that focus primarily on abstinence based treatments and they have not gotten the expect in funding in previous years and since this is a pilot and what we're trying to do is really respond to the demands of the community, it's important for me that we're trying new things and not just funding harm reduction exclusively. and i understand there's different programs, but i think it's really important that this plan include new things like that. i know director carroll is going to be coordinating all the responses, but that's super important to me. >> yeah, i think that adds to our covid response. we innovate, we learn and where our supply doesn't meet the demand, we will be able to rapidly adjust. all the way to the abstinence based programs. that's the challenge we've had in our systems of care. there's also that coordination. >> right. that was my second question to you. so the addictive care team has been somewhat operating

colfax?ood news. it has been a rocky start to 2022. hang in there a little longer. the surge is not over yet. hospitalizations which trail the peak in cases will still continue to go up. fortunately, for now we expect to meet capacity within the healthcare system to take care of people with covid and other healthcare needs in the hospitals. we are urging people to remain particularly vigilant for a little bit longer. cases are still very high. cases are still very high especially compared to prior surges. we all need to get well past this peak. look, i know that everybody is exhausted. let's give gratitude to front line staff who as the mayor said have been working over time to patch together coverage as colleagues become infected and have to stay home. many of them became infected, too. tonight bely, for the vast majority of our cases in the city, cases are mild because people were fully vaccinated with the first series and for many people they were up-to-date on vaccinations with regard to

colfax. >> thank you, mayor breed. good morning everybody and thank you, mayor breed, for your ongoing leadership during this pandemic. and i want to thank our partners at u.c.s.f. and especially dr. charles chiu and his team and i'd also like to thank our testing partner dr. scott topper. both are here today. and, of course my partner dr. mary ellen carol. all of us have been working in the last 24 hours with our state and federal partners at cdc and the state department of health to determine whether this indeed is the first case of omicron that has been detected and that has indeed been the result of our work overnight. i want to acknowledge our health officer dr. susan philip. but i also want to emphasize this is not a surprise. for those of you who knew, we thought omicron was already here. we just hadn't detected it yet. so this is cause for concern, but it's also certainly not a cause for panic. we are prepared in the city for this with regard to the case itself. the person recently traveled to south africa and

colfax, for the report. my question relates to the most -- one of the most recent health orders that are requiring the other health care institutions in san francisco to be able to test other than sending their patients to sfdph sites. if in fact my understanding in one institution in order to have a test, you must have a doctor's order which is not what i assumed is accessibility and are they complying and are the hours not thursday from 2:00 to 4:00 with an appointment and a doctor's orders. of that's what i have. that's i guess my concern when i was really happy to see the health order requiring other participants to step up to the plate. >> director: thank you, commissioner. i believe dr. susan hill is on the line and will provide you with an update and also to emphasize the mayor's order that was announced last week and places penalties on health care systems. so there are two different orders. one dr. hill will provide more updates and there's the mayor's orders for mott following the health order. dr.

colfax, in your report, you mentioned dr. phillips' concern that some of the health systems are not really doing their part for testing and are sending not only their employees but others who walk in the door, potential patients to be tested at the d.p.h. testing site. is there anything more that you can do or dr. phillips can do with this so-called concern to get the other health systems to do their part? is there any push or anything that can be done? >> yes. i'll let dr. phillips answer that. i will say we've been reaching out directly to other hospital system leaders to ensure that they have insight into the situation to work with them to collectively problem solve around this issue. this so we're working with them but we're going to see unprecedented demand and quite frankly d.p.h. is carrying a huge burden here. however, whenever we can, but we are really calling upon other health care systems to do their part different health care systems are a different change in that regard. others it's not clear at this time what th

colfax? please welcome for an update on the covid-19 omicron variant and what is happening in san francisco here is dr. grant colfax. >> good morning everybody. thank you, mayor breed for your leadership as we enter the third year of the pandemic. third year. we are seeing covid-19 cases drop relatively rapidly in the city. we can now say that we are on the beginning of the downward trajectory with regard to the surge. latest data showcases peaked on january 9 with seven day average of 2164 cases per day. it has steadily dropped each day since then to 1076 per day on january 12th. this is good news. it has been a rocky start to 2022. hang in there a little longer. the surge is not over yet. hospitalizations which trail the peak in cases will still continue to go up. fortunately, for now we expect to meet capacity within the healthcare system to take care of people with covid and other healthcare needs in the hospitals. we are urging people to remain particularly vigilant for a little bit long

>>doctor colfax as we could start to turn a corner on this soon. but we're not there just yet. currently, 81% of eligible people in san francisco are vaccinated with 58% having have their booster shots. now in response to the surge, mayor london breed has issued a new health order aimed at the city's hospitals effective tomorrow. hospitals will have to provide proof to the city twice a week that their meeting patient needs in a timely manner. if hospitals don't comply with the order, they will be fined up to $10,000 per day. kron on's rob nesbitt is digging into the story for us. he's going to have more on this on kron. 4 news at 5. a couple of covid testing sites in san francisco are handing out covid-19 test kits for people to take home supervisor. hillary ronen sent out this tweet earlier today. she says at home test kits are available at the southeast health center and the allegheny farmers market testing sites. it seems is a first come first serve offer, not necessarily prioritizing folks who previously had appointments that had to be canceled due to a nationwide computer

colfax and team for this update. the surge, you know, hit us very hard and there was a lot of uncertainty and a lot of, you know, concerns about access to testing and particularly as folks were going back to school and so i hope that as we go in the coming months, i know, we don't know exactly what the future holds, but that hopefully we have learned some things in terms of how to respond when we do get hit with such an increase in cases. it did seem like for an amount of time it was hard to give information on people although we do not know what the future holds, i think if we do have a similar type of sort of surge or new challenges related to the virus, we want to make sure we're able to communicate effectively and expand appropriately. i wanted to ask about something that came up a little bit, but didn't -- i think i've wanted to have more answers to which are access to masks. over the weekend, i was out in viz valley and there was a mask give away and they had n95s given out and they had 500 people show up and w

colfax?e and come out in a much better place. it is important to emphasize with case rates so high what we see across the country, the state and locally we are in a far different place than a year ago with our prior surge. we are getting through omicron, the most transmissible yet. it is more transmissible than alpha and delta. we managed to keep hospitals, clinics and essential services open. most cases have been mild or asymptomatic especially for those up-to-date on vaccinations, especially for those who get the booster. we have proven covid doesn't have to upend our lives even if we have to be vigilant, smart and flexible to adapt to what is needed when needed. as your public health department i want to stress that our goal is not to prevent every case of covid. omicron proved that is not possible. our goal is to prevent the worst outcomes, severe disease. hospitalizations and deaths. with regard to that, i want to ground ourselves in comparison to last year. last year we lost 165 san fra

grant colfax said we must learn to live with covid, echoing what other health officials have stated. ask now verbal is not to prevent every case of covid. omicron has proved that is not possible. our goal is to prevent the worst outcomes. but my hope is that as we begin to reopen, as we see the numbers decline and we continue to be careful, we continue to go out and support our restaurants. that we order and pick up from our restaurants and various businesses. that we support our small businesses. reporter: the commerce department recently reported to try percent decline in foot traffic in the downtown area since early december, with omicron cases began to surface. dion: reporter: the mayor made reference to the fact there are people who are not going to restaurants, not because of the restrictions but because they are afraid of getting sick. both the mayor and dr. colfax alluded to the fact that at some point we have to accept that many of us will get covid or the common cold. member that when? dion: some of us are in that mindset already. we have to talk about testing for a moment.

grant colfax said they more than doubled their testing capabilities over the past 2 weeks. sites are operating at 500 to 900% of their capacity. >> we have a number of sites across the city, an ecosystem of sites that have been breaking records in terms of number of tests being done. >> reporter: right now, san francisco is averaging more than 10,000 tests per day, but with sites overwhelmed, colfax acknowledged that there needs to be more accessibility. >> it's become apparent that we need to take a more robust approach to expanding our testing infrastructure. >> reporter: mayor london breed with a stern message for private healthcare providers on tuesday. she ordered they submit weekly proof to show they are providing tests for members of their system and staff when needed. >> we need all of our private healthcare providers to step up and do your part, and to not just send people to the city resources, but to make sure you are providing resources that the members and city are paying you to provide. >> reporter: peter will be back tomorrow, hopefully to get a test. >> it s

according to doctor colfax hospitalizations, art as high as they were last winter. he credits vaccines for that saying the majority of people who are in the hospital with covid are either unvaccinated or not up to date with their vaccines. >> in san francisco, i'm rob nesbitt. kron. 4 news. >> san francisco health leaders also announced new changes for indoor and outdoor mega event. it doesn't just require booster shots but also changes to the definition of what a make even is in the city entirely. kron four's dan thorn has that story for us. >> in response to the highly contagious omicron variant san francisco's health department has changed the size of what's considered a mega event indoors and outdoors. beginning saturday, large indoor events will be dropped from 5,000 people to 500 people and large outdoor events are now 5,000 people down from 10,000 people up to date. vaccinations will be required including boosters beginning february first for attendees 16 and up a receipt of a booster will be needed as soon as they are eligible 12 to 15 year-olds must also be

director of health in san francisco, doctor grant colfax gave an update tuesday on the city's record breaking numbers. and right now. >> nearly one in 5 positive. the san francisco department of public health along with mayor london breed's office will now require large health care providers to help administer tests to minimize the surge in omicron cases, health department to shoulder on the basque burden of the of this testing. and so as we learn to live with this virus has a testing on demand absence laws. we need to make sure that everybody is doing their part if hospitals and hospital affiliated systems don't show proof of providing tests for patients who are symptomatic or who are close contact with someone who has tested positive. they'll face fines of up to $10,000 per day. getting that test within 24 hours of that request and that they are then getting results from that testing within 48 hours. and that happening 90% of the time schools are also getting more help. the city is sending more kn 95 mask and rapid antigen test of the san francisco unified school district. and this

especially for those fully faxed and boosted as a result, hospitals have not been overwhelmed and colfax is that will set the stage for how san francisco deals with covid going forward. now, our goal is not to prevent every case of covid on the kron has proved that that's simply not possible. >> our goal >> is to prevent the worst outcomes. severe disease. hospitalizations and deaths and colfax as san francisco's health policy will reflect that by not a pending people's lives. we're not going to hold onto restrictions. and and, you know, just waiting for everything for omicron to go where covid to go away. that's not going to it's clear that that's not going to happen anymore. >> we overeat or of a place where covid is endemic and we're going to learn to live with this virus and are lifting of of of restrictions in a gradual way will reflect that. that new reality. >> now, among those restrictions he was asked about was that indoor mask mandate, which san francisco partially lifted at one point only to put it back in place. he said obviously that is up for discussion. but again, we've go

colfax: the goal is not to prevent every case. omicron has proved that is not possible.is to prevent the worst outcomes. >> my hope is as we reopen and see the numbers declined by that we continue to go out and to support our restaurants, that we order pickup from various businesses, that we support small businesses. reporter: the commerce department reported a 20% decline in foot traffic in downtown since early december. when omicron cases began to surface. reggie: dr. colfax says the city is working with the state and federal partners to make rapid tests easy to get. kumasi: scott weiner will hold a news conference today to introduce a law surrounding vaccines. a senate bill would allow children 12 and under to get a vaccine without parental consent if it is recommended by the cdc and approved by the fda, that includes vaccines for the flu, measles, chickenpox and covid. he says it falls in line with the law that gives children 12 and older the ability to make reproductive health care decisions, like getting vaccinated for hpv. if the legislature passes the bill, it wa

colfax?please welcome for an update on the covid-19 omicron variant and what is happening in san francisco here is dr. grant colfax. >> good morning everybody. thank you, mayor breed for your leadership as we enter the third year of the pandemic. third year. we are seeing covid-19 cases drop relatively rapidly in the city. we can now say that we are on the beginning of the downward trajectory with regard to the surge. latest data showcases peaked on january 9 with seven day average of 2164 cases per day. it has steadily dropped each day since then to 1076 per day on january 12th. this is good news. it has been a rocky start to 2022. hang in there a little longer. the surge is not over yet. hospitalizations which trail the peak in cases will still continue to go up. fortunately, for now we expect to meet capacity within the healthcare system to take care of people with covid and other healthcare needs in the hospitals. we are urging people to remain particularly vigilant for a little bit longe

and colfax says that will set the stage for how san francisco deals with covid going forward. we need to learn to live with this virus. so we're not going to hold onto restrictions. and and, you know, just waiting for everything for omicron to go where covid to go away. colfax says that means the goal is not to prevent every case of covid but instead to prevent the worst outcomes, severe disease, hospitalization and death. and while it is certainly possible and plausible that we will be dealing with other variants in the future, hopefully we will be able to situate covid among the many other infectious diseases and health conditions. we have to contend with smartly but not letting them and end up end. our lives. now among those restrictions, san francisco currently has some places that indoor mask mandate. it's actually statewide. san francisco also had it. >> then they lifted it had to put it back in place. that is something san francisco would consider lifting. but again, not until those cases start coming even farther down live in san francisco. dan kerman kron. 4 news. all

colfax, and others.n do it when we do it together, and we have the support and the resources to get us there. so thank you, and with that, i'd like to introduce mary ellen carroll, the director of our department of emergency management. [applause] >> thank you, chief scott, and thank you mayor breed. emergency management provides coordination in times of crisis, and today, as you've heard, there's no more significant crisis than what's happening in our streets and especially in the tenderloin. during the pandemic, san francisco demonstrated what can happen when we work together. at the mayor's direction, the department is going to collaborate with our community partners. over the next few months, the team will implement a multiphase assessment approach. the first phase is already underway. through meetings with community stakeholders and residents, we have developed an understanding of the challenges that we have to address. enforcement and the disruption of criminal activity to guarantee safe passage in

colfax, and others.support and the resources to get us there. so thank you, and with that, i'd like to introduce mary ellen carroll, the director of our department of emergency management. [applause] >> thank you, chief scott, and thank you mayor breed. emergency management provides coordination in times of crisis, and today, as you've heard, there's no more significant crisis than what's happening in our streets and especially in the tenderloin. during the pandemic, san francisco demonstrated what can happen when we work together. at the mayor's direction, the department is going to collaborate with our community partners. over the next few months, the team will implement a multiphase assessment approach. the first phase is already underway. through meetings with community stakeholders and residents, we have developed an understanding of the challenges that we have to address. enforcement and the disruption of criminal activity to guarantee safe passage in our community. during this phase, social worker

brent colfax, public health director in san francisco along with pediatricians and many others. the senator's legislation could let 12 to 17-year-olds get the covid shot and their parents won't are to sign off on it. >> it's time we take action. it's time we remove barriers for kids to get life saving vaccines and healthcare. >> reporter: the senator said this is a permissive bill meaning it is one's choice and not mandatory. currently children in the state must have consent of a parent or guardian to receive most vaccinations. minors do not need parental consent to get hpv or hepatitis b vaccines. the senator says covid and booster shots should be no different. even though legislature is overwhelmingly controlled by democrats, some say this will be hard to get through. the senator says widespread misinformation is leading to many parents to deny children access to what he calls a life- saving vaccine. >>> new at noon, free rapid antigen tests will soon be available for free in the south bay. santa clara county is making 60,000 of them available at four drive up sites starting t

san francisco's director of public health doctor colfax as that. we'll set the stage for how san francisco deals with covid moving forward. he says the city's health policy will reflect that by not up ending people's lives. we're not going to hold onto restrictions. >> and, you know, just waiting for everything for omicron to go where covid to go away. that's not going to it's clear that that's not going to happen anymore. we overeat or of a place where covid is endemic and we're going to learn to live with this virus and are lifting of of of restrictions in a gradual way will reflect that. that new reality. >> doctor, colfax cautions case numbers and transmission rates remain high and hospitalizations, which lag behind cases are still going up. he says masking and other protective measures must continue for a while longer. >> bay area sports bars are expecting a big crowd saturday when the forty-niners take on the packers and the next round of the playoffs already. of course, many watch parties are planned across the city in some venues are conver

especially for those fully faxed and boosted as a result, hospitals have not been overwhelmed and colfax is that will set the stage for how san francisco deals with covid going forward. now, our goal is not to prevent every case of covid on the kron has proved that that's simply not possible. >> our goal >> is to prevent the worst outcomes. severe disease. hospitalizations and deaths and colfax as san francisco's health policy will reflect that by not a pending people's lives. we're not going to hold onto restrictions. and and, you know, just waiting for everything for omicron to go where covid to go away. that's not going to it's clear that that's not going to happen anymore. we overeat or of a place where covid is endemic and we're going to learn to live with this virus and are lifting of of of restrictions in a gradual way will reflect that. that new reality among those restrictions, san francisco would consider lifting would be that indoor mask mandate. but at this point, still too many cases, those numbers still need to come further down. dan kerman kron, 4 news. >> in the east bay

. >> he lives just outside of colfax. >> it is day 11 or 12 with no power or water. >> not far from where to lineman working to restore the tower fell thursday night. >> we did not hear it or know it at the time we saw it. >> treating these photos. saying the linemen were taken to the hospital. he says he hopes they are doing okay. >> we are really worried and will pray for them. >> even though it is not easy, he knows these crews are working tirelessly. >> they are working so hard for everyone. we are impressed by all of the crews.>> seediest 13 stopped by to see what the conditions must have been like at the jobsite. drone 13 captured rough terrain and down lines in the area near the incident. we know it happened closer to the lake that way. this is as far as we have been allowed. from our footage we do know that the conditions in that area were far worse than they are here. the conditions here are bad. trees down all around. you can see the ground is still sought from the record-setting snowstorm. we asked him to describe what his neighborhood was like after the storm. >> it just decap

grant colfax echoed what health officials have been saying. we must learn to live with covid-19. >> i want to stress now our goal is not to prevent every case of covid. omicron proved that is simply not possible. our goal is to prevent the worst outcomes. dan: hospitalization rates are still climbing. that is normal. they always lag behind the number of reported cases. the number of cases is slowing down. in january last year when 165 people died of covid-19 related illnesses. in this year five people have died. vaccines and preventive measures seem to have made all of the difference in this case. >> navigate life remains unpredictable. a show was back on stage after opening night was canceled due to covid-19 cases. we have more on the precautions in place. >> meeting enhanced safety measures and spend r more time confirming the status of any scheduled event. >> i was checking every day to see. something is coming through e-mail. did they cancel it? reporter: opening night for charlie and the chocolate factory was scheduled for tuesday but bro

according to doctor colfax hospitalizations, art as high as they were last winter. he credits vaccines for that saying the majority of people who are in the hospital with covid are either unvaccinated or not up to date with their vaccines. >> in san francisco, i'm rob nesbitt. kron. 4 news. >> well, the covid-19 test sites that were closed in san francisco for the past 2 days are now back open today. so some good news there. the health department said that several sites had to close on monday because of a nationwide software glitch that suspended the testing providers service. the department said that they're working right now to try reschedule all those appointments for people who had them canceled on monday and tuesday. the test providers says that people can make an appointment or walk in for a test today. to the south bay. now san jose has approved a booster mandate for city workers and city own properties. and that includes the sa peace center which is city owned properties. camila barco live with the details on that as well. good morning, camilla. >> good morn

according to doctor colfax hospitalizations, art as high as they were last winter. he credits vaccines for that saying the majority of people who are in the hospital with covid are either unvaccinated or not up to date with their vaccines. >> in san francisco, i'm rob nesbitt. kron. 4 news. and the north bay concerts and other large events, weddings are being canceled or postponed in sonoma county after the health officer there. >> issued an order asking people to stay home when they can and to limit the size of gatherings. all indoor gatherings of more than 50 people. now have to be canceled or postponed and outdoor gatherings of more than 100 people are currently not allowed. this is just the latest attempt by local authorities to try to slow the rapid spread of omicron. like with all these sorts of decisions while it may help protect people from a less severe variant of covid. it is also crushing for local businesses. >> from feeling pretty frustrated. it's obviously be on financially straining scary. and we just got to reopen in september. and then i got the new

according to doctor colfax hospitalizations, art as high as they were last winter. he credits vaccines for that saying the majority of people who are in the hospital with covid are either unvaccinated or not up to date with their vaccines. >> in san francisco, i'm rob nesbitt. kron. 4 news late tonight, san francisco health officials issued a new order requiring booster shots for everyone who is eligible at all so-called mega event. we're going to take a closer look at this new order coming up at 10, 30. in the east bay visiting a hospital for covid-19. testing is not recommended for people experiencing mild symptoms are those who are asymptomatic. that's the word from john muir health. this comes as the health system says that it has seen a sharp rise in emergency room visits for testing. the issue is not a matter of supply, but rather capacity to treat severely ill patients. so if you're experiencing mild symptoms possibly related to covid-19 or are asymptomatic yet won a routine test. they say you should just try to find an available to take home or visit a local

. >> reporter: this week, nevada county colfax avenue testing site in grass valley. when he arrived he was not sure where to turn to test. >> i was here to get my first covid-19 test. over here was another site and they said it was a rapid test site. >> steps from the county site, a shipping container advertising covid-19 testing. >> a sign on the side and some people went over there and they were confused on which place was the place they were supposed to go. >> reporter: the site, no longer running, shutdown, marked as dangerous and unsafe to occupy by nevada county public health for not having the necessary authorization to operate. the site agreed to close its doors and not reopen without approval. who was running this site and what exactly did they do wrong? we are getting answers. >> reporter: grass valley p.d. confirms to cbs 13 a local community group was trying to get permitted by the city's community development director to operate the site. the city had yet to give the green light. the group went ahead any way. testing residents without the proper permits.

grant colfax echoed what health officials have been saying. we must learn to live with covid-19. >> i want to stress now our goal is not to prevent every case of covid. omicron proved that is simply not possible. our goal is to prevent the worst outcomes. dan: hospitalization rates are still climbing. that is normal. they always lag behind the number of reported cases. the number of cases is slowing down. in january last year when 165 people died of covid-19 related illnesses. in this year five people have died. vaccines and preventive measures seem to have made all of the difference in this case. >> navigate life remains unpredictable. a show was back on stage after opening night was canceled due to covid-19 cases. we have more on the precautions in place. >> meeting enhanced safety measures and spend r more time confirming the status of any scheduled event. >> i was checking every day to see. something is coming through e-mail. did they cancel it? reporter: opening night for charlie and the chocolate factory was scheduled for tuesday but bro

in-person learning and reaffirms that it's safe to do so in a statement, health director doctor grant colfax writes, quote, san francisco has remained vigilant and be back for surges. we are well positioned with a highly vaccinated population to do the same with this current surge due to omicron throughout the pandemic. san francisco schools have remained low risk settings by following proper safety protocols let's work together to keep it that way. i'm taylor reporting kron 4 news. >> in the east bay. the west contra costa county unified school district spent the day handing out covid test kits to its workers and students. hundreds of folks in some of their cars waiting outside of kennedy high school and valley high to pick up those at home kits with classes resuming after the winter break. tomorrow morning. district leaders say they want to make sure that everyone is safe. the school district requires everyone to report their testing results on their web sites. but with folks returning from celebrations during the holidays. they hope that the move they say can prevent a covid-19 outbreak.

his father who is recovering from the christmas e version snowstorm in colfax is getting by. >> i'm sure any time he sits down its working on him. >> the family finding solace in knowing he was doing something he loved. >> that was laura reporting. the harbor director said the shark was likely a great white. >>> thousands in the sierra are facing a 10th day without power. for some it's a matter of life and death. for some are trying to survive until the power is turned back on. one resident said pg&e visited his property on friday but because of the terrain and wet conditions they will need special equipment to fix it. >>> time for the money watch report. americans quitting their jobs hit a new record and airlines facing more challenges because of spiking covid cases. >> stocks were mixed on tuesday. the dow added 214 points closing at a record high. the nasdaq fell 210. the s&p500 dipped three. >>> the great resignation continues. the department of labor said that 4.5 million americans quit their jobs in november, a new record. food services, health care and warehousing saw the biggest

people who voice their support for the plan includes the police chief bill scott and grant colfax and former mayor willy brown. those who oppose, there have been publicly critical so far including chesa boudin. >>> we're following breaking news, the chp is investigating a shooting on 580 near the approach to the bay bridge. this is a look in that area from one of our cal tran cameras. again, this is 580 approaching the bay bridge all westbound lanes of 580 shut down as we speak. we'll continue to follow this breaking news and bring you the latest on air and online. >>> all right. as we mentioned a few minutes ago, our health leaders say in san francisco testing is the key to -- one of the keys to containing this covid surge but that's the problem. where do you get tested? most walk in and drive in locations have long lines or simply no appointments if you show up. check out the solano mall. the line snakes down the block. a similar seen in san jose. look at this. traffic backed up to the freeway not far from san jose international airport. if you're having trouble finding a test, we'l