By Katie Bernard
The Kansas City Star
LANSING, Kan. — Every inmate at the Lansing Correctional Facility will be tested for the new coronavirus after initial testing samples from 240 inmates found about 75% of the group was positive for COVID-19, despite showing no symptoms, the Kansas Department of Corrections announced in a news release Thursday.
The addition of the asymptomatic positives more than doubles the number of inmates in the facility testing positive for the rapidly spreading virus. As of Thursday, the Kansas Department of Corrections had confirmed 88 positive cases among inmates at the facility, not including those who were asymptomatic. Seventy-nine staff members also tested positive. Two inmates have died from the virus.
“From day one, we have known a more robust testing strategy is key to understanding the spread of COVID-19. A limited supply chain prevented us from doing so, until recently,” Kansas Department of Health and Environment Secretary Lee Norman said in the release. “Unfortunately, the results we received from Lansing confirm how quickly this virus spreads and the unique characteristics of being positive, but not showing any signs or symptoms.”
The Star reported Thursday that the outbreak at the prison had led to staffing shortages, causing health and safety concerns among staff members at the facility. The Kansas Department of Corrections did not respond to questions regarding whether expanded testing would be provided to staff in time for publication.
The 240 inmates who lived in a dormitory style unit were tested earlier this week as part of expanded testing efforts, according to the news release. Rebecca Witte, the spokeswoman for the Kansas Department of Corrections, said the unit was tested because a number of inmates from it had already tested positive.
Witte said the number of inmates who tested positive in the group will be reflected in Friday’s totals. She could not confirm whether any who tested positive were already exhibiting symptoms.
Following those results, it was decided that testing will be administered to every inmate in the facility.
Inmates who test positive will be monitored, the release said, and transported to a hospital if it becomes necessary. All inmates at the prison will be placed in a 14-day facility-wide quarantine.
“Social distancing in a prison setting is difficult. For years, correctional facilities have been built to house a large number of people in a limited amount of space,” Kansas Secretary of Corrections Jeff Zmuda said in a release. “We believe this testing will assist us in ensuring that they receive the attention that they need and deserve.”
Since the first cases of COVID-19 were reported at the Lansing prison in late March, advocates have called on Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly and the Department of Corrections to release vulnerable inmates and those close to completing their sentences, citing the inability to social distance in a prison.
No releases have been announced, though Kelly has said she is considering options.
Positive cases of the new coronavirus have also been confirmed among staff or inmates at the Wichita Work Release Facility, the Topeka Correctional Facility and the Kansas Juvenile Correctional Complex.
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