NEW YORK (1010 WINS) -- The city's health department is investigating a community cluster of Legionnaires’ disease in the Central Harlem zip codes of 10037 and 10039, which has left several people hospitalized in recent weeks.
Nine people have been diagnosed with Legionnaires’ disease and hospitalized since Aug. 9, the department said Wednesday.
Seven of the individuals were 50-years-old or older. There have been no deaths associated with this cluster.
"The Health Department is actively investigating these cases and is sampling and testing water from all cooling tower systems in the area of the cluster," the department said in a news release.
The release added, "Due to the ongoing spread of COVID-19, people seeking care should be tested for COVID-19 and evaluated for Legionnaires’ disease."
Health Commissioner Dr. Dave Chokshi, said, “Anyone with flu-like symptoms should seek care early and – if they live in the affected area – ensure they are evaluated for Legionnaires’ disease. Most people exposed to Legionella don’t get sick but there are people at higher risk, such as those 50 and older, especially those who smoke and have chronic lung conditions.”