KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The Kansas Department of Corrections on Thursday announced another COVID-19 cluster at a state prison, the second in as many days.
Secretary Jeff Zmuda said 43 inmates at the Larned Correctional Mental Health Facility tested positive for COVID-19.
After a staff member tested positive on Aug. 8, Zmuda said 262 residents were tested based on contact tracing.
Zmuda said all 43 men who tested positive were moved to the Lansing Correctional Facility, which is department protocol. Contact tracing will continue, and those who test negative will quarantine at the mental health facility.
“Families are understandably anxious, and we want them to know that we will be working hard to ensure the health and safety of their loved ones,” Zmuda said in a news release. “We continue to stress with our staff and residents the importance of adhering to our mask protocols, good hand hygiene and social distancing.”
On Wednesday, the Kansas Department of Corrections said a lockdown was implemented at the Hutchinson Correctional Facility's Central Unit after 84 inmates and 10 staff tested positive for COVID-19 this week.
