Mayor: Legionnaires' cases climb to 119
Health officials said Wednesday they have now identified 20 sites in the Bronx contaminated with legionella bacteria. Officials say six of those sites are likely not associated with the outbreak in
News 12 Staff
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Aug 13, 2015, 5:47 AM
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Updated 3,176 days ago
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Health officials said Wednesday they have now identified 20 sites in the Bronx contaminated with legionella bacteria.
Officials say six of those sites are likely not associated with the outbreak in the South Bronx.
The number of Legionnaires' cases in the South Bronx rose to 119 Wednesday, health officials said earlier, but the mayor said those cases were contracted before Aug. 3.
Mayor Bill de Blasio also defended the city's response to the outbreak after Comptroller Scott Stringer criticized officials for what he called a slow response.
The number of deaths in the outbreak remains at 12, while the number of full recoveries has climbed to 88, according to de Blasio.
Officials again reminded residents that the disease spreads when people inhale contaminated mist or water droplets. Such droplets can spray out of water cooling towers and air conditioners.
Testing on water towers throughout the borough is ongoing.
