San Francisco DPH ends MPox emergency; highlights DoxyPEP guidance and COVID monitoring

Grama Kovacs, Director of Health for the San Francisco Department of Public Health, told the Health Commission Nov. 1 that the department ended the MPox public health emergency on Oct. 31 after cases slowed to fewer than one per day and more than 27,000 San Franciscans received vaccination. ‘‘DPH ended the public health emergency on October 31,’’ Kovacs said, and added that MPox remains a circulating concern and the agency will continue targeted prevention efforts.

Kovacs described a new department guidance on doxycycline post‑exposure prophylaxis (DoxyPEP), citing a recent DPH clinical trial at City Clinic and collaborations with Ward 86 and the University of Washington. The director said the trial found a single DoxyPEP dose taken within 72 hours significantly reduced subsequent infections of chlamydia, gonorrhea and syphilis. DPH’s guidance recommends DoxyPEP be considered for cisgender men and transgender women with a recent bacterial STI and certain exposures; Kovacs said the department will continue research partnerships and implementation where appropriate.

The director also celebrated local programs and partnerships: the Chinatown Child Development Center’s 50th anniversary and ongoing behavioral‑health services targeted to Asian American communities; a Code Lavender pilot at Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital to support staff wellness in the ICU and emergency department; and DPH outreach to newly arrived Ukrainians under the federal Uniting for Ukraine program, which Kovacs said has served hundreds of people across age groups.

On COVID‑19, Kovacs and staff presented slide data showing plateauing case rates and stable hospitalizations (roughly 40–50 patients), and said bivalent booster data will be added to the City dashboard in the following week. ‘‘We do believe that increased indoor gatherings this fall and winter will likely lead to increased COVID cases,’’ the presentation said, and DPH encouraged preparedness and continued surveillance.

The report closed with commissioners asking about space for Chinatown services; Kovacs said the renovated Chinatown Public Health Center can accommodate the Child Development Center. No public comment was received on the director’s report.

The Commission did not take any formal action on policy items in this presentation; staff said DPH would continue monitoring trends and research results and report back as needed.