Updated
Updated · FOX 5 New York · Jul 13
NYC Confirms 59 Legionnaires' Cases on Upper East Side, Hospitalizing 15
Updated
Updated · FOX 5 New York · Jul 13

NYC Confirms 59 Legionnaires' Cases on Upper East Side, Hospitalizing 15

3 articles · Updated · FOX 5 New York · Jul 13

Summary

  • 59 Legionnaires’ disease cases have now been confirmed in Carnegie Hill and Yorkville, with 15 people currently hospitalized and no deaths reported.
  • The cluster spans ZIP codes 10028, 10128 and 10075, and the city said it is not tied to any building’s plumbing system; residents can keep drinking tap water, bathing and using home air conditioning.
  • Several buildings’ cooling towers previously tested positive in preliminary PCR screening, prompting immediate cleaning and disinfection, but officials said that does not prove any tower caused the outbreak.
  • Culture testing is underway and could take up to two weeks, while the Health Department plans a virtual town hall at 6 p.m. for residents who have lived, worked or visited the area since late June.

Insights

Health officials found 31 contaminated towers on the UES. Why are the specific locations not being fully disclosed to the public?
As contaminated mist can travel for miles, are thousands outside the official outbreak zone unknowingly at risk?
After repeated outbreaks and new laws, why are 80% of NYC building owners still ignoring cooling tower safety rules?