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.”
Fifty-one staff from the emergency department of the Kaiser Permanente San Jose Medical Center tested positive for COVID-19 between Dec. 27 and Jan. 5, according to a statement released Tuesday by the Department of Public Health.
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.
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“Any exposure, if it had happened, would have been completely harmless and quite accidental, as the person 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.”
We asked Dr. Peter Chin-Hong, infectious disease expert at UCSF, how an inflatable costume can help spread the virus.
“These random streams of air from the leak, combined with the random movements, create an unpredictable flow,” said Chin-Hong. “Streams of air on droplets can give these droplets super powers, make them smaller and lighter, and make them float in the air and possibly blow around. That’s what we call aerosol generation.”
As for vaccinations, the hospital emergency department staff were the first to receive the COVID-19 vaccine less than 10 days ago. The hospital says that “it was not expected to have achieved immunity when this exposure occurred. It is not only important that not only get everyone vaccinated, but also get the required two doses of vaccine to be protected.”
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The hospital adds that the emergency department is still open and safe to receive care. All parts of the department are thoroughly cleaned and cleaned regularly. . 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 full statement from the hospital of 5 January below:
The health and safety of our patients, staff and doctors is our highest priority. To date, we have determined that 60 personnel attending the Kaiser Permanente San Jose Emergency Department on Dec. 25 tested positive for COVID-19. Working with our infectious disease specialists, we continue to investigate the outbreak to determine its possible causes and use contact tracking to personally notify and test anyone exposed, based on CDC and public health guidelines. Given the prevalence of COVID-19 in our communities, it is often difficult to pinpoint the specific exposure leading to COVID-19 infection.
In addition to HEPA filtering of the ventilation systems, which are known to be effective against the coronavirus, we have taken other precautions, including a thorough cleaning and intensive disinfection of the entire emergency department, including surfaces, equipment and high-touch areas in common areas and patient care areas, and we tested to determine if these areas were sanitized. In addition, we conduct regular rigorous cleaning, masks, symptom screening and temperature checks at the ED entrance; triage and appropriate isolation of anyone suspected of COVID-19; and ensure social distance with precautions such as plexiglass cubes for patients in the waiting area.
Our thoughts are with all of our valued associates affected by this situation, and we will continue to provide the care and support they need.
Our doctors contacted all 70 patients treated and discharged from the emergency department on December 25, and answered all patient questions. COVID-19 tests are being made available to these patients, and doctors are helping members secure the test. All Kaiser Permanente members can also schedule a test themselves online at kp.org. Due to the privacy legislation for patients, we do not need to provide further patient information.
As COVID-19 is still widespread and often has no symptoms, we are all still vulnerable and it remains critical that everyone continues to use the methods to protect ourselves and others – especially masks, washing hands, avoiding gatherings and social take distance .
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