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7th person dies in Upper East Side Legionnaires' outbreak as NYC reports 92 cases
By
Giulia Heyward
Published Jul 30, 2026
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By
Giulia Heyward
Published Jul 30, 2026
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Another person has died after contracting Legionnaires' disease, bringing the death toll in the Upper East Side outbreak to seven, according to city officials.
At least 92 people have contracted the disease, with five people currently hospitalized, according to the city's health department.
Legionnaires' disease is a severe form of pneumonia caused by Legionella bacteria. Health officials have said they believe the outbreak was linked to contaminated cooling towers.
The city's investigation identified 56 cooling towers that tested positive for Legionella bacteria. Officials have said every culture-positive cooling tower has now been inspected.
The city also said it believes the source of the exposure has been eliminated because no new illnesses have been reported in the last two weeks.
It's the second Legionnaires' disease outbreak in Manhattan in the past two years.
"We are saddened to share that a seventh person has died from Legionnaires' on the Upper East Side," Health Commissioner Dr. Alister Martin said on social media. "Our hearts are with their loved ones."
Martin also said 67 people who were hospitalized during the outbreak have since been discharged.
City officials have said they will release additional information about enforcement actions related to cooling tower compliance.
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Politics
manhattan
new york city
Giulia Heyward
Giulia Heyward is a breaking news reporter on the Day-Of desk. She previously worked at NPR, as a breaking news reporter, and the New York Times, as a reporting fellow on the national desk. Her work has also appeared in CNN, The Atlantic and Politico. Got a tip? Email [email protected] or more securely on signal at 917-715-1458.
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Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
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