Aug 10, 2020

Kansas jail will test all inmates, staff for coronavirus

Posted Aug 10, 2020 7:00 AM
Sedgwick County Jail
Sedgwick County Jail

WICHITA —After consultation with experts from the Kansas Department of Health and Environment, the Sedgwick County Health Department and the Sedgwick County Jail's contract medical provider, all housed inmates and staff will be scheduled for testing for the COVID 19 virus starting Monday, according to Lt. Lannon Thompson.

On July 31, the jail learned an inmate who worked in the jail kitchen tested positive for the virus. There are 54 inmates assigned as kitchen inmate workers. These kitchen workers prepare and deliver meals to the inmates throughout the facility.

Provisions have been made to ensure the safety of all inmates and staff within the facility, to include, adjustments to housing decisions, isolation for inmates awaiting test results, increased hygiene efforts and availability of hygiene products, facility sanitation and continuing to monitor inmates and staff.

The testing and other efforts will continue as the Sheriff’s Office addresses the current situation with COVID 19. As always, the safety and security of the staff, inmates and members of our community is of paramount importance to the Sedgwick County Sheriff’s Office.