SEDGWICK COUNTY —A Kansas inmate who died Thursday had tested positive for COVID-19, according to Lt. Benjamin Blick with the Sedgwick County Sheriff's office.
Lester Jacobs, 60, had a history of a chronic medical issues prior to incarceration when he was booked into the Sedgwick County Jail on July 16, on felony charges of violating the offender registration act and a state parole violation.
On Wednesday, Jacobs was admitted to the hospital after showing decreases in cognitive functions, according to Blick.
While in the hospital Jacobs tested positive for COVID-19.
Just before noon Thursday he was pronounced dead. The preliminary cause of death is unknown pending an autopsy.
The Kansas Bureau of Investigation and the Sedgwick County Sheriff’s Investigation Division were notified.
The Sedgwick County Detention Facility has booked over 13,000 people so far this year. This is the first in-custody death for 2021, according to Blick.