MAP UPDATE: 50 buildings in Manhattan outbreak zone test positive for live bacteria - NBC New York

What the report says

NBC New York reported that New York City health officials have expanded the list of Upper East Side buildings where cooling towers tested positive for live Legionella bacteria during a deadly Legionnaires’ disease outbreak. The latest update brings the total to 50 buildings, after an earlier preliminary list included 33 addresses. Officials said additional locations could still be added as more test results come in.

The outbreak has affected ZIP codes 10028, 10128 and 10075 in Manhattan. According to the report, 84 people have tested positive for Legionnaires’ disease, five have died, and seven remained hospitalized as of Wednesday night. Of the confirmed cases, 59 people required hospitalization but have since been discharged, while 13 did not need hospital care. NBC New York reported that daily case counts appeared to drop after peaking July 7, and officials said there had been no new cases since July 15.

City officials cautioned that a positive test at a building does not necessarily mean that tower caused the infections. DNA testing may take weeks to identify which cooling tower or towers contributed to the cluster and whether building owners complied with testing and disinfection requirements. The Health Department said towers that tested positive for live bacteria have been fully cleaned.

Legionnaires’ disease is a serious form of pneumonia commonly associated with inhaling water droplets contaminated with Legionella, including from cooling towers. NBC New York noted that Mayor Mamdani had said earlier in the week that the source had been remediated, cases were declining and the outbreak was over.