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SAN JOSE – The coronavirus outbreak at Kaiser Permanente Medical Center San Jose after a well-meaning staff member stroked in the emergency department in an air tree costume on Christmas Day rose to 60 cases on Tuesday, according to Kaiser.
That is 16 people from the 44 infected employees initially reported by Kaiser over the weekend, which included the death of a front desk clerk at the hospital. In a statement Tuesday afternoon, Kaiser said the 60 cases involved employees who were in the emergency room on Christmas Day. In addition, doctors have contacted 70 patients who were treated and discharged from the emergency room during the holidays and Covid tests are “made available” to them.
The epidemic has gained international attention and remains puzzled. Not only were staff members wearing masks in the emergency room, as required, the first doses of vaccinations had been given to some Kaiser employees about five days or so before the outbreak. However, vaccine effectiveness does not come into play, experts say, until around 10 days later and even then it would be around 50%.
A nurse told the Bay Area News Group this week that the appearance of the staff member in the costume “only spread joy” as she walked through the emergency room for about 10 or 15 minutes on Christmas morning. She also asked how staff members who had only started their shifts this afternoon and had no contact with the woman in the suit still tested positive.
Although many questions remained unanswered on Tuesday, the health department said the incident was “a stark reminder that Covid-19 can be so easily transmitted by air and that even letting your guard down for a moment can have serious consequences. consequences.
The department also noted that “Kaiser is responsible for complying with all applicable public health ordinances and workplace safety regulations, including those with Cal / OSHA. This includes timely notification of cases and any necessary follow-ups. “
Kaiser is also investigating the outbreak to “determine the potential causes.” He said: “Given the prevalence of COVID-19 in our communities, it is often difficult to determine the specific exposure leading to COVID-19 infection.” In a statement over the weekend, Kaiser suggested the outbreak may have been linked to the air-powered suit worn by a well-meaning staff member.
The hospital said it was adding weekly testing for staff and had adhered to county guidelines for testing throughout the pandemic. In its Tuesday statement, Kaiser said that in addition to HEPA filtering of its ventilation systems, the emergency department underwent deep cleaning and intensive disinfection.
“A staff member briefly appeared in the emergency department on Dec. 25 wearing an air-powered suit,” Kaiser said in a statement over the weekend. “Any exposure, if it had occurred, would have been completely innocent and completely accidental, as the individual had no symptoms of COVID and was only seeking to boost the spirits of those around him during a very stressful time.
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