City officials declared an end to a Legionnaires' disease cluster on the Upper East Side on Friday, a move met with sharp criticism from residents and local politicians who felt the administration was premature and tone-deaf. The declaration came as seven New Yorkers had died from the outbreak, and five others remained hospitalized in critical condition.
Department of Health officials announced Friday, the day after the seventh victim's death, that the 14-day incubation period for new cases had passed without new symptoms emerging. This suggests that disinfection efforts had eliminated the cooling tower identified as the source of the bacteria. The affected ZIP codes – 10028, 10075, and 10128 – were stated to no longer pose an elevated risk of exposure.
However, residents expressed feelings of abandonment during the crisis. "We just feel like we’re just left to die," said Upper East Side resident Saundrea Coleman. She and others criticized Mayor Zohran Mamdani's administration for being "absent" as the disease and fear spread throughout July. Valerie Mason, president of the local community board, called the administration's approach "lackadaisical" and stated, "There is no victory lap to be taken here or patting on the back. I am disgusted by this press release, ‘put a medal on me’ attitude. There is no applause warranted here."
Further exacerbating the criticism, city records revealed that no cooling towers in the affected area had been inspected in June, and only half of the approximately 160 buildings in the zone had undergone full inspection by the time the outbreak was declared over. One building was inspected in May with no summonses issued, and records showed no inspections or fines in June.
Corrine Schiff, deputy commissioner for environmental health, defended the city's inspection program, stating its work is "citywide" and that half of the buildings in the cluster area had been inspected. She could not confirm the specific inspection numbers for the cluster area when pressed by reporters.
Critics also pointed to the perceived ineffectiveness of the administration's new "Office of Mass Engagement." Councilman Phil Wong stated, "It’s becoming clear that the Office of Mass Engagement is more interested in political messaging than public engagement." He added that the office was "MIA when people actually need it" and that governing during a public health emergency differs from producing "campaign-style videos."
Mamdani, meanwhile, spent the morning of the declaration in the Bronx for a photo opportunity at the stairs featured in the film "Joker." This was noted by locals, especially as the affected ZIP codes include Gracie Mansion, the mayor's official residence.
Council Speaker Julie Menin acknowledged the end of the exposure period but emphasized that the ordeal is not over for those still hospitalized or recovering. "While I’m pleased by the news that the exposure period has ended, my thoughts remain with the five residents still hospitalized and those for whom it may take weeks or months to recover," Menin said in a statement.