Coronavirus Disease 2019 Outbreak in a San Francisco Homeless Shelter

We report the public health response to a coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak in a San Francisco shelter where 67% of residents and 17% of staff tested positive for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). We describe the limited utility of case investigation, person-based contact tracing and symptom screening, and the benefits of mass testing in outbreak response.

Automated summary

This report highlights the public health response to a COVID-19 outbreak in a San Francisco shelter, emphasizing the limited effectiveness of case investigation, person-based contact tracing and symptom screening, and the benefits of mass testing in outbreak response.