Friends and family mourn the loss of correctional officer who died from COVID-19

Friends and family mourn the loss of correctional officer who died from COVID-19

Is department of the indiana the indiana department of corrections is mourning one of its own.

That's after an officer at the wabash valley correctional facility passed away from covid-19.

You'll remember gary wink-key died over the weekend.

Now..some may be wondering what the facility is doing to stop the spread of the virus.

News 10's jada huddlestun spoke with officials at the correctional facility.

She shares what they're doing to keep everyone safe.

Gary win-key worked at the facility for 13 years.

The indiana department of corrections says it's the first death... of an officer... who contracted "covid-19."

We're told there are currently seven staff members who have tested positive for the virus.

Four of the staff members have finished their quarantine and returned to work.

Three offenders have tested positive.

Now you may be wondering what they're doing to keep everyone safe.

I spoke with the active warden at the facility today.

He says all staff members and offenders are to wear masks to help keep them protected.

When they arrive for their shift..

Each staff member is screened for symptoms of the virus.

The warden says if they show a fever..

Or any symptoms... they're sent home immediately.

He says they know how serious this is..

And are doing their best in close quarters to keep everyone proteced.

"you know, we just have to take it very seriously to protect the inmates, to protect each other, protect the community, the spread.

So, that's kind of our focus and concentration over the last several weeks, and we'll continue to do so."

Jad} it is important to note that win-key's last day in the facility was at the end of march.

Littlejohn says there's no indication that anyone he came in contact with has the virus.

Back to you.