Over two dozen people sickened by Legionnaires‘ disease on the Upper East Side are now out of the hospital, New York City health officials say
The New York City Health Department said as of Saturday night, there were 56 total cases connected to the cluster
Of those 56 cases, 16 people are currently hospitalized, 31 were hospitalized at one point but have since been discharged, and nine did not need to be hospitalized
No deaths have been connected to the outbreak
Health officials continue to investigate the Legionnaires’ disease cluster in the Carnegie Hill and Yorkville neighborhoods, which was first reported on July 3
According to health officials, community clusters of the disease are usually traced back to mist from cooling towers in the affected area. They say Legionella bacteria can grow in the cooling tower water, and people can then get sick from breathing in the water vapor
CBS News New York
Officials have not yet determined the exactbuildings in the area with cooling towers that tested positive for Legionella bacteria
Those buildings were instructed to drain, clean and disinfect their cooling towers as a precaution. At least 19 have already disinfected their towers. Saturday was the deadline for building owners to complete remediation at the other 12 locations
Health officials say the cluster is not connected to any building’s plumbing system, and residents in the area can safely drink, bathe with and cook with their tap water. Using their air conditioners is also safe, officials say
Anyone who lives or works in the affected area – which includes the ZIP codes 10028, 10128 and 10075 – should contact a healthcare provider immediately if they experience flu-like symptoms
Legionnaires’ disease is a type of pneumonia, and can cause serious complications if left untreated, health officials say. The disease is not contagious
Upper West Side Legionnaires’ testing
City Health Commissioner Dr. Alister Martin said Saturday that the owner of a building on the Upper West Side independently tested that building’s hot water system for Legionella bacteria
According to Martin, the testing is unrelated to the Upper East Side cluster
Health officials have not reported any cases of Legionnaires’ disease on the Upper West Side at this time
