HARTFORD, Conn. (WTIC Radio)_ The Connecticut Department of Correction reports the first death of a state correction officer to COVID-19.
"I am deeply saddened to announce the death of Correction Officer Quentin Foster from complications associated with the Covid-19 virus," says Commissioner Angel Quiros in a written memo to staff on Friday. He goes on to add, "officer Foster is the first correctional staff member from our Agency to succumb to this terrible virus."
Foster, 45, tested positive for COVID-19 upon returning from travel down south, the DOC said on Tuesday.
A nine-year veteran with the Department, he was assigned to the Willard-Cybulski Correctional Institution.
Commissioner Quiros says in the same memo "...even more heartbreaking is the fact that he leaves behind five children."
Quiros' memo goes on to say, "as we wait on the finalization of the policy related to the vaccination mandate for DOC employees, I encourage those of you who have not yet been vaccinated, to do so as soon as possible."
