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’.
Forty-four staff members at the Kaiser Permanente San Jose Medical Center’s emergency department tested positive for COVID-19 between Dec. 27 and Jan. 3, Irene Chavez, senior vice president and area manager of the hospital, said in a statement.
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.
“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.”
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The emergency staff at the hospital first received the COVID-19 vaccine less than ten days ago, and the hospital said they would not be expected to achieve immunity when this exposure occurred. It is not just important that everyone is vaccinated. , but to receive the required two doses of vaccine to be protected. ‘
The hospital says the emergency department is still open and safe to receive care, and all areas of the department are being thoroughly cleaned. 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 2 below:
“The health and safety of our patients, staff and physicians is our top priority. We have determined that 43 staff members at the Kaiser Permanent San Jose Emergency Department tested positive for COVID-19 between December 27 and January 1. It will ensure that every staff member involved receive the care and support they need.Using our infection prevention protocols, we investigate the outbreak and use contact tracing to staff or patients exposed during this period based on CDC and public health guidelines.We also moves quickly to test all employees and doctors of the emergency department for COVID-19 Employees who have been confirmed to have COVID-19 or are suspected of having COVID-19 due to symptoms will not return to work not, and adhere to COVID-19 isolation protocols according to Kaiser Permanente and CDC guidance.
The Kaiser Permanent San Jose Medical Center is open and safe to receive care. All areas in the Emergency Department are thoroughly cleaned, in addition to the already strict cleaning protocols that are in place. All of our health professionals will be offered weekly COVID-19 tests and rapid tests for anyone with symptoms or exposure to a person with COVID-19. Masks are required in all areas and we are further developing our processes and common spaces, such as staff break rooms, to limit staff gatherings.
We are grateful to our employees, nurses and physicians for their dedication to providing excellent and compassionate care every day. Nearly 40,000 Kaiser Permanent health workers in Northern California have already received COVID-19 vaccinations, and more are continuing every day, taking us one step closer to controlling the pandemic. Although the vaccine is beginning to be provided in our communities, we are all still vulnerable, given the prevalence of COVID-19 in the community, and it remains critical for everyone to continue the methods of protecting ourselves and others – especially masks, hand washing, avoiding gatherings and social distancing. “
Stay tuned to ABC7 News for this evolving story.
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