Inmate at Department of Corrections has Tested Positive for COVID-19

The Missouri Department of Corrections (MODOC) was notified that an inmate tested positive for COVID-19.

According to a news release, the inmate is currently being treated at a Kansas City area hospital, where he was admitted March 19. Before being hospitalized, he was being monitored for a suspected respiratory condition and had been isolated in a negative airflow chamber at Western Reception, Diagnostic & Correctional Center in St. Joseph since March 4. No other offenders had contact with him since March 4.

“Medical and custody staff have followed all safety protocols to minimize exposure,” according to the news release. “Staff interacting with the offender have worn personal protective equipment in accordance with Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines. All rooms and vehicles the offender occupied were immediately sanitized.”

All staff who have been in contact with the infected offender have been notified.

Throughout the duration of the COVID-19 outbreak, MODOC will post public updates on their website at https://doc.mo.gov/media-center/newsroom/covid-19.