O F FI CE OF T H E M A Y OR
S A N F RA N C I S C O

L ON D ON N. B RE E D
M A Y OR

March 25, 2020
The Honorable Gavin Newsom
Governor, State of California
State Capitol, First Floor
Sacramento, CA 95814
Dear Governor Newsom:
As we grapple with the coronavirus pandemic, cities across the state and the country, like San Francisco,
will be severely impacted. Since January, the City has been aggressively preparing for and responding to the
spread of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) to do everything possible to protect the public’s health. We
have greatly appreciated your leadership during this extraordinary time, both in providing budgetary support
and regulatory relief. But we must do more.
On March 5th, San Francisco reported its first two cases of COVID-19. Less than three weeks later, we have
more than 178. Due to our limited testing abilities, we know the 178 diagnosed patients are only a small
portion of people in our community who have COVID-19, and in the next two weeks – or less – we expect a
surge in hospitalizations like every other community where the virus has taken hold. Our government and
our hospital systems are stretched and approaching capacity, and we request your immediate assistance now
before we hit our peak patient load.
Today, San Francisco hospitals have approximately 1,300 medical-surgical beds and 200 ICU beds. While
we are currently stretched thin, we have the staffing we need to care for the initial surge of patients with
COVID-19. Yet as the Department of Public Health and San Francisco’s hospitals have collectively
prepared to care for a much larger number of patients, it has become clear: we cannot wait any longer for
the equipment and placements these additional patients will need. We need 1,500 more ventilators and
5,000 more beds than we have today, and ask that our state and federal partners work with us to quickly
increase our supply and identify the staffing needed to help support these beds.
In addition, we continue to request support of our state and federal partners in providing:
• Additional Personal Protective Equipment (N-95 masks, face shields, gowns, and gloves);
• Testing kits and related materials;
• Health care staffing; and
• Accompanying regulatory changes to support our surge capability.
I am grateful for your partnership in these challenging times. Only by working together can we address this
crisis head-on, and the level of resources, expertise, and operational support cannot come from San
Francisco alone. We urgently need your assistance today and we respectfully request that your
Administration and staff work directly with our Department of Public Health to develop, fund, and support
our patient surge plan. There is no time to waste.
Sincerely,

London N. Breed
Mayor
1 DR. CARLTON B. GOODLETT PLACE, ROOM 200
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA 94102-4681
TELEPHONE: (415) 554-6141