KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Kansas Department of Corrections officials announced the death of a corrections supervisor at Lansing Correctional Facility from COVID-19 for the second consecutive day.
Secretary Jeff Zmuda said Wednesday that a man over the age of 50 who had worked for the department for more than two decades had died.
There are now more than 800 confirmed positive coronavirus cases and five deaths, including three inmates and two staff members, linked to the Lansing prison outbreak, which is among the largest clusters in the country.
“This has been an extremely difficult week for our agency and staff,” Zmuda said in a statement announcing the second staff member’s death. “We are devastated and extend our condolences to the family, friends and co-workers of this dedicated public servant.”
Corrections officials announced the first death of a Lansing prison staff member Tuesday.
Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly confirmed Wednesday that George Bernard "Bernie" Robare was the staff member who died Monday from COVID-19 complications.
“This virus has shaken our state to its core,” Kelly said in a statement. “Our corrections personnel have been invaluable during this pandemic. I extend my sympathies to his family and my sincerest thanks to the many who put themselves in harm’s way each and every day in service to others.”
According to KDOC data, 728 inmates and 88 staff members at the Lansing prison, the largest state prison in Kansas, have tested positive for COVID-19.
