Inmate who prepped meals in Sedgwick County Jail kitchen tests positive for COVID-19
A previous version of this story misstated the number of positive COVID-19 tests among inmates.
A kitchen worker at the Sedgwick County Jail has tested positive for the novel coronavirus, leading to more inmate quarantines and a temporary delay in meal delivery.
Col. Brian White said Monday that the worker, who is an inmate, showed no symptoms of COVID-19 but received a routine test for the virus in preparation for an upcoming medical procedure.
The inmate had contact with dozens of other kitchen workers, who prepare and serve food to the men and women housed at the jail. In response, the Sedgwick County Sheriff’s Office quarantined the entire inmate kitchen staff — 54 workers — after it was notified Friday of the positive test.
Currently, there are around 150 inmates in quarantine at the jail, White said — about a tenth of the population.
There have been 27 positive tests at the Sedgwick County Jail since March, including one deputy. The first inmate case was announced two weeks ago.
“This was one of my biggest concerns, was that somebody from the kitchen staff would be positive,” White said during a Monday afternoon news briefing. “ ... It’s extremely frustrating, and it’s very challenging to manage this and to go forward.”
White said the quarantine caused a delay in meals being delivered to inmates while a new kitchen staff was selected, vetted and trained over the weekend. But all inmates eventually received breakfast, lunch and dinner on the affected days.
Normal mealtimes have since resumed.
The jail serves meals compatible with 10 different diets, including vegetarianism, food sensitivities and religious restrictions.
“This process of getting meals ready for inmates is pretty much a 24-7 operation,” White said.
The kitchen has three crews of 18 inmates and is managed by an outside contractor responsible some portions of meal preparation.
White said the infected inmate was isolated while the jail awaited his test results. The medical procedure that prompted the test was supposed to take place at an off-site location.
The rest of the exposed kitchen staff was given the option to be tested for the virus Monday. None had exhibited any symptoms of COVID-19, White said, but they were quarantined as a precaution.
Testing results from the group aren’t expected for several days.
“We have received test results back in as fast as two days. Sometimes maybe as long as four days,” he said.
White said the jail tests inmates who are sick with COVID-19 symptoms, ones who need a test prior to having a medical procedure, and those identified through contract tracing as having possible exposure to the virus.
Inmates under quarantine are released after 14 days with no symptoms, or if they test negative for the virus twice.
White said the jail is providing extra soap and disinfectant when it’s needed and also has passed out face masks to all staff and inmates. The jail also has medical staff on site to test and treat the ill.
This story was originally published August 3, 2020 at 3:01 PM.
