By Dewey Terrill
JC Post
UPDATE TO A STORY THAT BEGAN ON THURSDAY:
The Geary County Sheriff’s Office announced Friday night that have received the results from the Covid-19 test conducted Friday morning, where an additional corrections officer and one inmate tested positive for Covid-19. That brings the total to three corrections officers and one inmate.
The correction’s officers are being treated at their residence while the inmate is isolated and being treated at the Detention Center. The Detention Center is following the recommendations from the Geary County Health Department and the Kansas Department of Health and Environment.
The Detention Center will be conducting testing multiple times over the coming weeks in attempt to prevent further spread. The Sheriff's Department will continue to provide updates as new information becomes available.
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There will have to be extensive contact tracing and testing after two Geary County corrections officers tested positive for COVID-19.
Sheriff Dan Jackson doesn't know how this could impact staffing at the jail if others test positive. "We don't know yet, and I think that's why they jump on it like they do. You've got to figure out where you're at before you can plan your way forward."
Jackson confirmed the jail inmate population is down to about 75 inmates, instead of the normal level of about 135. "We leaned into that early and got people out that we could get out. That means we could go with a little less staff."
The two officers that tested positive are quarantined at their homes. Jackson said that is a small piece of staff but the contact tracing is significant. Authorities must go back about a week to see where the officers were at and who they were in contact with at the jail as well.
The sheriff said the department has accepted an offer from the Kansas Division of Emergency Management to send teams out to help care for the people. "Whoever we have that tests clear, as far as corrections officers, we don't necessarily want them going home to their families while they're still working in the jail. They could take it home to their families. They'll put all these people up in hotels. They'll take care of that whole piece so that we don't have to worry about it. The cost will be funded by the state division of emergency management.
Other corrections officers and inmates will be tested for COVID-19.