Inflatable costume may have caused Covid outbreak at California hospital

Dozens of health workers have tested positive and one has died since staffer wore fan-powered outfit

An inflatable costume worn on Christmas to cheer up patients is being investigated as the possible cause of a coronavirus outbreak - and at least one virus-related fatality - in a hospital in northern California.

At least 44 emergency department staff members at the Kaiser Permanente San Jose medical center tested positive for the virus between 27 December and 3 January, according to a statement from the hospital. One emergency department employee who had been working on Christmas has passed away as a result of Covid-19 complications".