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Resource collection
Respiratory illness guidance for specific settings
Guidance for providers and administrators of healthcare, residential congregate settings, schools and childcare in San Francisco.
Department of Public HealthAcute Care Hospitals (ACHs)
Outbreak definitions for respiratory illness:
- COVID-19: ≥ 2 cases of probable or confirmed COVID-19 among patients 4 or more days after admission for a non-COVID condition, with epidemiologic linkage OR ≥2 cases of suspect, probable or confirmed COVID-19 among HCP AND ≥1 case of probable or confirmed COVID-19 among patients 4 or more days after admission for a non-COVID condition, with epidemiologic linkage (source: CORHA COVID-19 definition)
- Influenza: ≥2 lab confirmed cases in patients with symptom onset ≥ 72 hours after admission, with epidemiologic linkage (source: CORHA influenza definition)
- Non-COVID-19, non-influenza, respiratory illness: ≥1 case of a laboratory-confirmed respiratory pathogen, other than influenza or COVID-19, in the setting of a cluster (≥2 cases) of acute respiratory illness (ARI)* with symptom onset ≥ 72 hours after admission
Skilled Nursing Facilities (SNFs)
Recommendations for Prevention and Control of COVID-19, Influenza, and Other Respiratory Viral Infections in California Skilled Nursing Facilities – 2025-26
Outbreak definitions for respiratory illness:
- COVID-19: ≥2 cases of probable or confirmed COVID-19 within a 7-day period among residents, with epidemiologic linkage OR ≥2 cases of suspect, probable or confirmed COVID-19 within a 7-day period among HCP and ≥1 case of probable or confirmed COVID-19 among residents, with epidemiologic linkage
- Influenza: ≥2 lab confirmed cases identified within a 72-hour period in residents, with epidemiologic linkage
- Non-COVID-19, non-influenza, respiratory illness: ≥1 case of a laboratory-confirmed respiratory pathogen, other than influenza or COVID-19, in the setting of a cluster (≥2 cases) of acute respiratory illness (ARI)* within a 72-hour period
Non-healthcare settings
CDPH general population guidance for respiratory viruses
Long-term congregate settings (e.g. RCFE, RCF, ARF)
Outbreak definitions for respiratory illness:
- COVID-19: ≥1 case of probable or confirmed COVID-19 in residents in the setting of a cluster (≥3 cases) of acute respiratory illness (ARI)* within a 7-day period
- Non-COVID respiratory illness: ≥1 case of a laboratory-confirmed respiratory pathogen, other than COVID-19, in residents in the setting of a cluster (≥3 cases) of acute respiratory illness (ARI)* within a 72-hour period
Schools, childcare, and youth programs
Report cases of acute respiratory illness among students if:
- At least 10% of the average daily attendance of students are absent and/or reporting symptoms of acute respiratory illness (ARI)* within a 7-day period (minimum of 3 cases)
- OR if there are a greater number of expected cases than usual for a given time of year
- OR if there is increased severity of illness, such as hospitalizations or fatalities among cases
CDPH Guidance for School & Child Care Communicable Disease Mitigation
* Acute respiratory illness (ARI) is defined as new onset of any two or more of the following symptoms (not better explained by chronic conditions, e.g., seasonal allergies): fever or chills, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, difficulty breathing, body aches; AND/OR has tested positive for a specific respiratory pathogen, including COVID-19, influenza, or RSV
Documents
Resources
SFDPH Resources
SFDPH Health Update: Flu, COVID-19, and RSV vaccination 2025-26
Health update for San Francisco providers regarding vaccination recommendations for respiratory viruses.
SFDPH Health Officer Orders
Active San Francisco Health Officer mandates applicable to healthcare settings.
San Francisco Respiratory Virus Hospitalization dashboard
Respiratory virus hospital admissions in San Francisco hospitals.
CDPH Resources
CDPH Respiratory Virus Resources for Healthcare Professionals
Resource library for vaccination, testing, and treatment of respiratory viruses
CDPH Vaccination resources for LTCFs
Includes resources on immunization recommendations, talking points, and educational materials for COVID-19, Flu, and RSV.
CDPH: Ventilation Best Practices for High-Risk Settings
Recommendations for optimizing ventilation in congregate/high-risk settings.
CDPH Office of School Health Hub
The Office of School Health Hub consolidates key resources and information to support the health, safety, and well-being of TK-12 students and staff and mitigate the spread of communicable diseases.
Materials: Flyers, Posters, Handouts
Masks Recommended Flyer
SFDPH "Masks Recommended" sign in multiple languages
CDPH Respiratory Virus Communication Toolkit
State toolkit with fact sheets and shareable messages about respiratory virus prevention.
Disease Information in Multiple Languages
Disease information and VIS forms for COVID, Flu, and RSV in multiple languages