An employee working in a California hospital experiencing a COVID-19 outbreak potentially related to an inflatable Christmas tree costume died of complications from the virus, according to a report.
The registry worker was working in the emergency department on Christmas Day – the same day an employee wore an “air-powered” costume to spread the holiday’s joy at the Kaiser Permanente San Jose Medical Center, KNTV news station reported. .
She was one of 43 employees to contract the virus between December 27 and New Year’s Day, hospital officials said.
The hospital is investigating whether the fantasy fan spread respiratory droplets exhaled by a person infected with the virus.
“Any exposure, if it occurred, would have been completely innocent and accidental, as the individual had no symptoms of COVID and just sought to lift the spirits of those around him during a very stressful period,” Irene Chavez, senior vice president and manager of downtown area, said the San Francisco Chronicle.
The hospital issued a statement on Sunday night to offer condolences to the victim’s loved ones.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with the people affected by this terrible loss. We are offering support to our employees during this difficult period, ”said the statement, the Los Angeles Times reported.