Inflatable costume could result in 43 hospital staff having COVID – officially

An inflatable Christmas costume could get the blame after dozens of staff members at a California hospital tested positive for COVID last week.

An official from the emergency department of Kaiser Permanente San Jose confirmed that 43 staff members contracted the disease between December 27 and January 1, after an employee entered a ‘short while’ with an ‘air-powered costume’ at 25 December.

“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,” Irene said. Chavez, senior vice president and area manager, said. said of the center, San Francisco Chronicle report.

“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,” Chavez continued. Officials said all of its health workers will be testing for COVID-19 weekly.

In addition, inflatable costumes “obviously” will no longer be allowed in the hospital’s emergency department, which will be deeply cleaned and left open, Chavez said. The exact type of inflatable costume worn was not immediately clear.

According to a hospital statement obtained by ABC7, the center used contact tracing to inform and test staff and patients who may have been exposed to the disease. It is said that employees suspected of having COVID will not work until they have been cleaned.

Face coverings are needed in all hospital areas and officials said ordinary spaces, such as break rooms, will now have stricter restrictions on the number of staff members.

Officials said nearly 40,000 Kaiser Permanent health workers in the state had already received vaccinations for COVID, but did not say whether it included anyone suspected of being infected during December 1 to January 1.

Staff in the department had to be vaccinated first. The hospital said that “they would not be expected to achieve immunity when this exposure occurred,” ABC7 reported.

The hospital said: ‘Although the vaccine is starting to be provided in our communities, we are all still vulnerable, given the prevalence of COVID-19 in the community, and it is critical for everyone to continue with the methods around ourselves. to protect – especially masks, hand washing, avoiding gatherings and taking social distances. ‘

The California Department of Public Health said Saturday there were 53,341 newly recorded cases in the state on Jan. 1, bringing the total to 2,345,909 positive cases. There were now 26,357 deaths in the state at the time of writing, figures show.