The hospital told ABC7 News that the distribution was ‘possibly’ linked to an employee who briefly appeared in the emergency department on Christmas Day, wearing an ‘air-powered costume’.
Fifty-one staff members at the Kaiser Permanente San Jose Medical Center’s emergency department 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 was on duty in the emergency department on Dec. 25, the hospital confirmed Sunday night with ABC7 News. Out of respect for the family and the privacy of the patient, hospital officials do not release any more information.
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“Any exposure, if it had taken place, would have been completely innocent and accidental, as the individual had no COVID symptoms and was only trying to lift the minds of those around them during a very stressful time,” he said. Chavez said. “If it’s anything, it should be a very important reminder that the virus is widespread, and often asymptomatic, and that we should all be vigilant.”
We have dr. Peter Chin-Hong, doctor of UCSF infectious disease, asked how an inflatable costume could contribute to the spread of the virus.
“These random air currents from the leak, coupled with the random movements, create an unpredictable flow,” Chin-Hong said. “Air flow on droplets can give these droplets superpowers, make them smaller and lighter, hang in the air and possibly make them blow. This is what we call aerosol production.”
In terms of vaccinations, emergency department staff at the hospital were the first to receive the COVID-19 vaccine less than ten days ago. According to the hospital, “they would not be expected to have achieved immunity when this exposure occurred. It is not only important that everyone be vaccinated, but that they be given 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. Deep cleaning is done in all areas of the department, along with routine cleaning. . An ongoing investigation and contact tracing among staff and patients is underway.
“It’s clear we’re not allowing more air – driven costumes at our facilities,” Chavez told ABC7 News. “At the same time, we are taking steps to strengthen safety measures among staff, including physical distance and no gathering during breaks, no sharing of food or drink, and masks at all times.”
The hospital first reported that 43 staff members tested positive on Saturday. A day later, officials said Sunday afternoon that the number of infected emergency service workers had risen to 44.
Read the hospital’s full statement from January 5 below:
The health and safety of our patients, employees and doctors is our highest priority. To date, we have determined that 60 staff members from those present in the Kaiser Permanente San Jose emergency department tested positive for COVID-19 on December 25th. In collaboration with our infectious disease specialists, we continue to investigate the outbreak to determine the possible causes and use contact tracing to personally notify and test exposed individuals 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 that leads to COVID-19 infection.
In addition to the HEPA filtration of the ventilation systems, which are known to be effective against the coronavirus, there are also precautions we have taken, deep cleaning and intensive disinfection of the entire emergency department, including surfaces, equipment and high touch areas in common spaces and patient care areas, and we tested to determine that these areas are being purified. In addition, we implement regular cleaning, masks, symptom testing and temperature control at the entrance of the ED; triage and appropriate isolation of anyone suspected of having COVID-19; and ensure social removal with precautions such as plexiglass blocks for patients in the waiting area.
We think of all our valued staff members who have been affected by this situation, and we continue to provide the care and support they need.
Our doctors have contacted all 70 patients treated and discharged on December 25 at the Emergency Department and answered any questions patients may have. COVID-19 tests are made available to these patients, and doctors help members ensure the test. All Kaiser Permanent members can also schedule a test on kp.org. Due to patients’ privacy laws, we have no further patient information to provide.
Because COVID-19 is still widespread and often asymptomatic, we are all still vulnerable and remain critical for all to use the methods to protect ourselves and others – especially masks, hand washing, meeting avoidance and social distance.
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