The hospital is investigating the outbreak and has informed KGO-TV by email that the broadcast “may” have been connected to an “air-powered costume”.
Officials confirmed that an employee briefly appeared in the emergency department in an inflatable suit on Christmas Day.
“Any exposure, if it occurred, would have been completely innocent and quite accidental, as the individual had no symptoms of COVID and only intended to lift the spirits of those around him at a very stressful time,” Chávez said. “In any case, this should serve to really remind us that the virus is widespread and often has no symptoms, and that we all need to be vigilant.”
Emergency personnel were the first to receive the COVID-19 vaccine less than ten days ago and the hospital said it “was not expected to have reached immunity when this exposure occurred. It is important that not everyone be vaccinated, but receive the two necessary doses of vaccine to protect them. “
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The hospital says the emergency department remains open and safe to receive care and all areas of the department are conducting a thorough cleanup. An ongoing investigation and follow-up of contacts between staff and patients are ongoing.
“Viouslybviamente, we will no longer allow airborne costumes in our facilities,” Chavez told KGO. “At the same time, we are taking steps to strengthen safety precautions among staff, including physical distancing and meeting in rest rooms, without sharing food or drinks and masks at all times.”
Read the full hospital statement below:
“The health and safety of our patients, employees and physicians is our top priority. We have determined that 43 staff members in the Emergency Department of the Kaiser Permanent Emergency Department in San Jose have tested positive for COVID-19 among 27 December and January 1. We ensure that all affected staff members receive the care and support they need.Through our infection prevention protocols, we are investigating the outbreak and using contact tracking to notify and personally test staff or patients who were exposed during this time period based on CDC and public health guidelines.We also move quickly to test COVID-19 to all emergency department employees and physicians.Confirmed Employees who have COVID-19 or are suspected of having COVID-19 due to symptoms will not come into operation, following COVID-19 isolation protocols according to the guidance of Kaiser Permanente and CDC.
The Kaiser Permanente San Jose Medical Center is open and safe to receive care. All areas of the emergency service are being thoroughly cleaned, in addition to the cleaning protocols already in place. All of our health care workers will be offered weekly COVID-19 testing and rapid testing for anyone with symptoms or exposure to a person with COVID-19. Masks are needed in all areas and we are further reconfiguring our processes and common spaces, such as staff rest rooms, to limit staff meetings.
We thank our employees, nurses and physicians for their dedication to providing excellent and compassionate care every day. Nearly 40,000 health workers at Kaiser Permanente in Northern California have already received vaccines against COVID-19, with more continuous ones every day, making us one step closer to controlling the pandemic. Although the vaccine is beginning to be provided in our communities, given the prevalence of COVID-19 in the community, we are still vulnerable and it remains critical that everyone continue to use the methods to help protect ourselves. and to others, especially masks, hand washing, avoiding meetings, and socially distancing oneself. ”
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