The hospital told ABC7 News that the spread was “possibly” related to an employee who appeared briefly at the emergency department on Christmas Day in an “air-powered costume.”
Forty-four staff at the Kaiser Permanente San Jose Medical Center emergency department tested positive for COVID-19 between Dec. 27 and Jan. 3, Irene Chavez, the hospital’s senior vice president and regional manager, said in a statement.
The staff member who died died of COVID-19 complications and worked in the emergency department on Dec. 25, the hospital confirmed with ABC7 News Sunday night. Out of respect for the patient’s family and privacy, hospital officials do not release more information.
“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.”
VIDEO: COVID-19 Victim with 1% Chance of Life Tells Emotional Survival Story
Emergency personnel at the hospital were the first to receive the COVID-19 vaccine less than 10 days ago, and the hospital said that “they would not be expected to have achieved immunity when this exposure occurred. It is not only important for everyone to comply. get vaccinated, but to get the required two doses of vaccine to be protected. “
The hospital says the emergency department is still open and safe to receive care and that all areas of the ward are undergoing a thorough cleaning. An ongoing investigation and contact tracking among staff and patients is underway.
“It’s clear we no longer allow air-powered suits in our facilities,” Chavez told ABC7 News. “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.”
The hospital first reported that 43 staff members had tested positive on Saturday. A day later, officials said on Sunday afternoon that the number of infected rescuers had risen to 44.
Read the hospital’s full statement of January 2 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. “
Stick to ABC7 News for this evolving story.
If you have a question or comment about the coronavirus pandemic, please ask using the form below or here.
Read the latest news, information and videos about the new coronavirus pandemic here
RELATED STORIES & VIDEOS:
Copyright © 2021 KGO-TV. All rights reserved.