Inflatable costume cited in outbreak

An air-powered, inflatable costume worn by a staff member

on Christmas to spread holiday cheer may be to blame for a coronavirus outbreak that infected dozens of workers at a hospital in San Jose, Calif., a hospital spokeswoman said.

An employee wore the costume “briefly” in the emergency department at Kaiser Permanente San Jose Medical Center, the spokeswoman, Irene Chavez, said in a statement. The hospital began an investigation after 44 staff members tested positive for the coronavirus between Dec. 27 and Friday, she said.

It was unclear how long the employee had worn the costume in the emergency department.

The hospital declined to say whether any patients had been infected.