WICHITA, Kan. (AP) - Another Kansas prison inmate has died of the coronavirus and hospitals admissions are high as case numbers soar statewide.
The Kansas Department of Corrections announced Tuesday that a COVID-19 positive inmate from the Ellsworth Correctional Facility died Monday. The inmate, whose name wasn’t released, was 76 and had underlying medical conditions. He was serving a 14-year sentence for aggravated indecent solicitation of a child and aggravated endangerment of a child.
He is among more than 3,600 inmates statewide to be infected since the pandemic began; nine have died.
Kansas had a rolling average of 1,507 new confirmed and probable cases a day for the seven days ending Monday, based on state Department of Health and Environment data. That’s nearly 18% higher than the previous high of 1,279 cases a day for the seven days ending Friday.
In Wichita, Ascension Via Christi was treating 70 coronavirus patients Tuesday, the highest number it has seen yet. The hospital has repeatedly added beds in its COVID-19 units to keep up with the demand.
“COVID-19 is an immediate threat to our community’s well being” Carla Yost, the hospital’s chief nursing officer, said in a written statement that urged the public to wear masks, avoid gatherings and socially distance.
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