31 UES Buildings Test Positive For Legionella: See List

UPPER EAST SIDE, NY — As the number of Legionnaires' disease cases continues to spike on the Upper East Side, New York City health officials have released the addresses of 31 cooling towers that tested positive for Legionella bacteria in a PCR test.

So far, 19 of these cooling towers have already been disinfected, and the rest will be remediated by Saturday, officials from the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene said.

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"What we are doing is going to the source," Dr. Alister Martin, the city health commissioner, said Friday.

Importantly, PCR screening tests do not confirm whether the bacterial infection is active, but they confirm that the bacteria's DNA is in the water.

A second test, which can take up to two weeks, will confirm where the outbreak is coming from.

The outbreak of Legionnaires' disease emerged on July 2 and has been concentrated in ZIP codes 10028, 10128 and 10075. The health department tested 183 cooling towers in the neighborhood.

As of Friday morning, 46 people are sickened by Legionnaires' disease on the Upper East Side, and 22 of those people are currently hospitalized. Nineteen people have been discharged and are now recovering at home, and five were not hospitalized, officials said.

Legionnaires’ disease, a type of pneumonia, is caused by bacteria called Legionella that thrive in humid environments, such as cooling towers, which cycle warm air through water.

The disease spreads by inhaling contaminated mist, officials said. Drinking tap water, showering, and using the air conditioner are all safe, officials said. Masks are not shown to protect from infection, officials said.

Upper East Siders experiencing flu-like symptoms — such as fever, cough, or difficulty breathing — should contact a healthcare provider immediately.

Here's the full list of addresses where a cooling tower has tested positive for Legionella.

• FULL REMEDIATION COMPLETE:
  • 180 East End Ave.
  • 1750 York Ave.
  • 1660 Second Ave
  • 1438 Third Ave.
  • 1511 Third Ave.
  • 1551 Third Ave.
  • 1071 Fifth Ave.
  • 1080 Fifth Ave.
  • 1001 Fifth Ave.
  • 240 E. 82nd St.
  • 8 E. 83rd St.
  • 145 E. 84th St.
  • 117 E. 85th St.
  • 125 E. 87th St.
  • 152 E. 87th St.
  • 120 E. 87th St.
  • 501 E. 87th St.
  • 168 E. 88th St.
  • 160 E. 88th St.

• CLEANING PENDING: Ordered to remediate by 7/11/26
  • 1875 Second Ave.
  • 1110 Fifth Ave.
  • 153 E. 78th St.
  • 135 E. 79th St.
  • 300 E. 79th St.
  • 238 E. 81ST St.
  • 160 E. 84th St.
  • 114 E. 85th St.
  • 401 E. 88th St.
  • 333 E. 91st St.
  • 354 E. 91st St.
  • 312 E. 95th St.

This is a developing story and will be updated. For questions, email Miranda.Levingston@Patch.com.

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• What To Know About The UES Legionnaires' Outbreak