At least 44 relief workers from Kaiser Permanente in San Jose tested positive for COVID-19 in the past week, according to the hospital, and it was confirmed on Sunday that one of those workers had died.
According to the statement released by Kaiser on Sunday, an employee who worked in the emergency department on Christmas Day has died as a result of complications from COVID-19.
Kaiser employees confirmed that the woman who died was a registry clerk in the emergency department. Her colleagues describe her as an ‘absolutely wonderful woman’.
All 44 infected people were working in the emergency room on Christmas Day, officials confirmed.
The hospital is investigating whether an incident in which a member of staff briefly appeared at the emergency room on Christmas Day wearing an air-powered costume with a ventilator may have led to air droplets spreading throughout the hospital.
“Using our infection-proven protocols, we investigate the outbreak and use contact tracking to personally notify and test personnel or patients exposed during this time based on CDC and public health guidelines,” said a spokesman in a statement.
The hospital says it will no longer allow air-powered suits at any facilities.
Kaiser said the worker wearing the costume had no symptoms at the time and was only trying to lift the mood during a stressful time. But an ER officer who asked not to be identified said there may be another reason for the outbreak.
“They were doing respiratory treatments in a room that were not intended,” said the employee.
The hospital said the emergency department is being thoroughly cleaned, and officials said the hospital is open and safe for patients to receive care.
But the employee said Kaiser’s claim that they did a thorough cleaning of the department after the outbreak was untrue.
“That’s a lie,” said the employee. “All they did was come in and thoroughly clean the small break room. They didn’t do the other parts of the emergency room and there was no thorough cleaning. “
The hospital is working to quickly test all emergency department staff and doctors for the virus, and anyone who tests positive or has symptoms will quarantine the Centers for Disease Control guidelines, hospital officials said.
However, several health workers told NBC Bay Area they feel the hospital is not doing enough to protect them. Some employees said there was no regular testing.
A COVID-19 outbreak at a Kaiser hospital in San Jose is under investigation after 43 emergency room employees became infected with the corona virus. NCB Bay Area’s Marianne Favro spoke to an employee who says several factors may have played a role in the spread, claiming that the hospital is not treating the outbreak as it should.
“Even as the vaccine begins to be distributed in our communities, given the prevalence of COVID-19 in the community, we are still vulnerable and it remains critical that everyone continues to use the methods to protect ourselves and others – especially masks, wash hands, avoid meetings and socialize, ”the statement read.
Kaiser said some of the infected health workers had received their first dose of the COVID vaccine, but they were not expected to achieve immunity when the exposure occurred.
The hospital has responded to employee comments that it has not taken proper safety precautions against the virus, saying it follows CDC protocol and tests all emergency room employees.
The hospital said the deep clean-up is underway and patients who may have been exposed are being contacted by phone.
On Sunday, the Santa Clara County health department issued a statement about the outbreak.
“The Health Department is aware of and is currently investigating a significant COVID-19 outbreak in connection with the Kaiser San Jose Emergency Department,” the statement read. “Kaiser is responsible for complying with all applicable public health and occupational safety regulations, including those issued by Cal / OSHA. This includes timely reporting of cases and any required follow-up.”