SEDGWICK COUNTY—The Sedgwick County Sheriff’s Office was notified Friday, that an inmate had tested positive for COVID-19, according to Colonel Brian White.
This inmate was not symptomatic, but was tested for an upcoming medical procedure. This inmate worked as a kitchen inmate worker. There are 54 inmates assigned as kitchen inmate workers. These kitchen workers prepare and deliver meals to the inmates throughout the facility.
Because of the inmate working in the kitchen, all the other inmates assigned as kitchen inmate workers were quarantined. We had to select and train 54 new inmates as kitchen workers.
While the 54 inmates were being chosen and trained, there was a delay in getting meals to the inmates at the normal times. Although the meals were delayed, all of the inmates received breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Currently the jail is again serving meals at the regular times, according to White.
The jail staff is also continuing to maintain sanitization standards to take care of our staff and inmates which include issuing extra soap, and having disinfectant available as needed. All staff members have been issued masks to wear, and all inmates have been issued face coverings for the last several months. We also have a full medical staff on site.
If more inmates need to be quarantined or isolated, the jail already have an established plan to minimize further exposure to staff and inmates.