Photo from the archive, Kaiser Permanente. (KTVU)
SAN JOSE, California. – The Kaiser Permanente San Jose Medical Center reports that 43 team members tested positive for COVID-19 this week, starting last Sunday, December 27 until yesterday.
In addition, the hospital says a festive outfit that was air-powered and worn by a staff member who was briefly in the emergency department on Christmas Day may have influenced the 43 infections.
The hospital is working to conduct contact tracking along with notifications for patients and other staff who may have been exposed.
All emergency departments and medical personnel are in the process of testing for COVID-19.
In a statement to KTVU, senior vice president and area manager for Kaiser San Jose, Irene Chavez, said the employee who appeared in the emergency department was just trying to spread the joy of the holiday.
“Any exposure, had it occurred, would have been completely innocent and quite accidental, since the individual had no symptoms of COVID and just sought to lift the spirits of those around him during a very stressful period.”
Chávez went on to say, “At the very least, this should serve as a very real reminder that the virus is widespread and often without symptoms, and we should all be vigilant.”
The hospital is undergoing a thorough cleaning, in addition to the normal cleaning protocols in the midst of the pandemic.
All Kaiser healthcare professionals will receive weekly tests for COVID-19 and rapid tests for anyone with symptoms or exposure to a person with COVID-19.
This is breaking news, check back for updates.