Coronavirus: Mayor Breed declares state of emergency amid heightened Bay Area concerns

As cases of the novel coronavirus have increased worldwide and concerns grow that it may spread to communities in the United States, San Francisco Mayor London Breed on Tuesday declared a local emergency in order to be prepared should the city start seeing confirmed cases.

Although no cases had been reported in San Francisco as of Thursday, Breed said the emergency declaration is a precautionary measure that mobilizes city resources, accelerates emergency planning, streamlines staffing and coordinates city agencies, as well as allows for future reimbursement by state and federal governments.