This week, ZSFG began an important next phase in understanding the impact and slowing the spread of COVID-19 – on-campus testing sites.

Without enough tests or labs to rapidly process what can be collected, it has been hard to gauge the real impact of COVID-19 in San Francisco. So when Hospital leadership made the move to begin testing patients on campus, the ZSFG COVID-19 Fund funded its first project.

With an offer to help from Bright Event Rentals – the engineers behind the large big top for our annual Hearts in SF gala on the ball field at Oracle Park – the Foundation quickly took them up on their offer. Within days, the empty B/C parking lot in front of the hospital was home to testing tents that could accommodate 5 patients at a time.

Two drive-thru and three walk-up testing locations are now located under the two large tented structures on the parking lot. Testing began on Thursday for patients with an appointment and referral from a San Francisco Health Network provider or clinic, Emergency Department or Urgent Care facility which includes all departments at ZSFG. This week, ZSFG launched a dedicated employee testing site as well.

Testing is a critical part of San Francisco’s fight against the virus that causes COVID-19. In March, there were 3,900 tests conducted in San Francisco. The city’s goal for April is 50,000 tests. The ZSFG site will help meet this critical goal and foster a better understanding of how the disease is spreading within our community.

Testing will take place by appointment – Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. with appointments every 15 minutes.