File Photo, Kaiser Permanente. (KTVU)
SAN JOSE, California. – The Kaiser Permanent San Jose Medical Center reports that 43 staff members tested positive for COVID-19 this week, from last Sunday, December 27 until yesterday.
In addition, the hospital says a costume with a holiday driven by a staff member who was briefly in the emergency department on Christmas Day could play a role in the 43 infections.
The hospital is conducting contact detection, along with notifications for patients and other staff who may have been exposed.
All emergency department staff and physicians are testing for COVID-19.
In a statement to KTVU, Kaiser San Jose, senior vice president and area manager Irene Chavez, said the staff member who appeared in the emergency department was only trying to spread holiday cheer.
“Any exposure, if it had taken place, would have been completely innocent and quite accidental, as the individual had no COVID symptoms and was only trying to raise the minds of those around them during a very stressful time.”
Chavez added: “If it is anything, it should be a very important reminder that the virus is widespread, and often asymptomatic, and that we should all be vigilant.”
The hospital is being thoroughly cleansed, in addition to the normal cleaning protocols amid the pandemic.
All of Kaiser’s health professionals will be offered weekly COVID-19 and rapid tests for anyone with symptoms or exposure to a person with COVID-19.
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