Yesterday New York City’s Department of Health (NYC Health) said 76 cooling towers on the Upper East Side have tested positive for the Legionella, the bacterium that causes Legionnaires’ disease. 

The department provided a list of cleaned towers and towers that are awaiting treatment to eliminate bacteria. So far, 63 people in the Upper East Side neighborhoods of Carnegie Hill and Yorkville have been sickened with Legionnaires’ disease, a severe lung infection that can be deadly, especially in older adults. 

“This is not an issue with any building's plumbing system. Residents in these ZIP codes can continue to drink tap water, bathe, shower, cook, and use your air conditioner at home,” NYC Health said in a statement.

Of the 63 case-patients, 12 are currently hospitalized, 11 are not hospitalized, and 40 have been discharged from the hospital. No deaths have been recorded with this outbreak. 

Early treatment with antibiotics can be helpful in preventing severe progression of the disease, officials said. They urged anyone who lives or works in this area, or people who have visited the area since late June, to visit a healthcare provider if they begin to experience flu-like symptoms, such as cough, fever, or difficulty breathing.