California hospital fined over $40,000 after Santa Clara County says it delayed reporting Covid-19 outbreak - CNN

"Kaiser is responsible for complying with all applicable public health orders and work safety regulations, including timely reporting of cases and all required follow-ups," the county said in an email statement to CNN.

The initial cause of the outbreak continues to be investigated by the public health department, officials said.

In a statement to KGO, Irene Chavez, senior vice president and area manager with Kaiser Permanente San Jose, said the outbreak "may" have been connected to an employee who briefly wore an "air-powered costume" in the emergency department on Christmas.

"Any exposure, if it occurred, would have been completely innocent, and quite accidental," said Chavez.

"As the individual had no COVID symptoms and only sought to lift the spirits of those around them during what is a very stressful time."

Air-powered costumes will no longer be allowed at the facility, Chavez added.

A public health order issued on October 5, 2020, requires the hospital to report any confirmed positive Covid-19 cases by personnel who were at the workplace to the public health department within four hours.