December 29, 2021
TEMPORARY HOLD: Category 3 on-site clinical research - effective January 3, 2022
Dear Clinical Research Community,
The COVID-19 omicron variant is causing an unprecedented increase in cases around the world. As our own UCSF data demonstrate, and as reflected by the San Francisco Department of Public Health and surrounding county epidemiology, the Bay Area is in the midst of a major surge. This surge is expected to be shorter than the ones caused by the delta variant and previous strains, but there will be a very high risk for infection to our faculty, staff, trainees, patients, and research participants over the next few weeks.
After careful consideration, UCSF will temporarily reinstitute a hold on Category 3 on-site clinical research (i.e., research not essential to the health and well-being of participants) effective January 3. Please click here for additional definition of Category 3 on-site clinical research and more specifics regarding UCSF’s on-site research policy. We anticipate this change lasting for approximately two weeks; the actual duration will depend on the course of the pandemic. This decision was made to achieve two fundamental goals: protecting the health of our patients, research participants, faculty, staff, and trainees; and preserving our clinical workforce to care for the anticipated surge in COVID-19 hospitalizations.
We recognize the impact this decision will have on our research activities. We will continue to follow the pandemic closely and communicate regularly regarding how best to balance UCSF’s research mission with the public health of our community. Please let us know at [email protected] if you have questions or concerns regarding this change.
Sincerely,
Daniel H. Lowenstein, MD
Executive Vice Chancellor and Provost
Dr. Robert B. and Mrs. Ellinor Aird Professor of Neurology