The hospital is investigating the outbreak and told KGO-TV in an email that the spread was “possibly” related to an “air-powered suit.”
Officials confirmed that an employee appeared briefly in the emergency department on Christmas Day wearing an inflatable costume.
“Any exposure, if it had occurred, would have been completely harmless and quite accidental, as the individual had no COVID symptoms and was merely trying to cheer those around them during a very stressful time,” Chavez said. “In any case, this should serve as a very real reminder that the virus is widespread, and often without symptoms, and that we should all be vigilant.”
Emergency services personnel were the first to receive the COVID-19 vaccine less than 10 days ago, and the hospital said that “immunity is not expected to have been achieved when this exposure occurred. It is not only important that not just everyone is vaccinated. , but also received the required two doses of vaccine to be protected. “
COVID victim given 1% chance of life tells an emotional survival story
The hospital says the emergency department is still open and safe to receive care and that all areas of the ward are thoroughly cleaned. An ongoing investigation and contact tracking among staff and patients is underway.
“It is clear that we are no longer allowing air-powered suits in our facilities,” Chavez told KGO. “At the same time, we are taking steps to reinforce staff security measures, including physical distance and no gathering in break areas, no sharing of food or drink and masks at all times.”
Read the hospital’s full statement below:
“The health and safety of our patients, staff and physicians is our highest priority. We determined that 43 employees of the Kaiser Permanente San Jose Emergency Department tested positive for COVID-19 between December 27 and January 1. Will ensure that each Affected staff member receives the care and support they need Using our infection prevention protocols, we investigate the outbreak and use contact tracking to personally notify and test staff or patients exposed during this time based on CDC and guidelines We are also working quickly to test all emergency department personnel and physicians for COVID-19. Employees confirmed or suspected of having COVID-19 due to symptoms will not attend to work, according to COVID-19 insulation protocols according to Kaiser Permanente and CDC guidelines.
The Kaiser Permanente San Jose Medical Center is open and safe to receive care. All areas in the emergency department undergo a thorough cleaning, in addition to the already strict cleaning protocols in place. All our healthcare providers are offered weekly tests for COVID-19 and accelerated tests for anyone with symptoms or exposure to a person with COVID-19. Masks are required in all areas and we are further reconfiguring our processes and common areas, such as staff break areas, to reduce staff meetings.
We are grateful to our employees, nurses and doctors for their dedication to providing excellent and compassionate care every day. Nearly 40,000 Kaiser Permanente health workers in Northern California have already received COVID-19 vaccinations, and more are going through every day, bringing us one step closer to controlling the pandemic. 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, waxes , avoiding gatherings and social distancing. ”
Copyright © 2021 KGO-TV. All rights reserved.