"Harlem Hospital ignored its own commitment to conduct weekly testing that could have prevented the spread of Legionnaires' disease ahead of last summer's deadly outbreak."
"The hospital's monitoring system also showed signs as early as June that one of its cooling towers was susceptible to developing Legionella bacteria."
"Both buildings have rooftop cooling towers, which operate as part of a building's air conditioning system. Legionella can grow rapidly inside cooling towers in hot weather if they are not maintained properly."
"The outbreak spread quickly through Central Harlem. Seven people died and 90 were hospitalized."
Harlem Hospital neglected its commitment to weekly testing, which could have mitigated the spread of Legionnaires' disease. Documents reveal that signs of a susceptible cooling tower were evident as early as June. Despite the hospital's maintenance plan requiring such testing, NYC Health and Hospitals stated it was not mandatory. The outbreak, traced to Harlem Hospital and a nearby construction site, resulted in seven deaths and 90 hospitalizations. Concerns were raised about the maintenance of cooling towers on government properties, which can harbor Legionella bacteria.
Read at Gothamist
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