NYC Plans 6 p.m. Town Hall on 59-Case Legionnaires' Outbreak as 31 Towers Test Positive
Updated
Updated · WABC-TV · Jul 13
NYC Plans 6 p.m. Town Hall on 59-Case Legionnaires' Outbreak as 31 Towers Test Positive
3 articles · Updated · WABC-TV · Jul 13
Summary
Fifty-nine people have been diagnosed in the growing Upper East Side Legionnaires' outbreak, prompting New York City officials to hold a virtual public town hall Monday evening.
Thirty-one buildings with cooling towers tested positive for Legionella, and the city ordered those systems cleaned and disinfected while investigators still try to pinpoint the outbreak's exact source.
The affected area spans Carnegie Hill, Yorkville and Lenox Hill; the Guggenheim Museum is among sites with a positive tower, though officials said a positive result does not prove a building is making people sick.
City health officials said Legionnaires' is not spread person to person and that tap water, bathing, showering and standard air-conditioning use remain safe.
City Council Speaker Julie Menin criticized the response and said the council will consider legislation to increase Health Department accountability and transparency.