Upper East Side Catholic School Remains Closed After Legionella Bacteria Found
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- An Upper East Side Catholic school is expected to remain closed Tuesday for cleaning after low levels of the Legionella bacteria were found in a cooling tower.
The Convent of the Sacred Heart School on East 91st Street had been open for faculty meetings when the bacteria was discovered.
It was found as a result of new legislation that requires all cooling towers across the city be tested for Legionella bacteria following the deadly outbreak of Legionnaires' disease in the Bronx.
The school is housed in two historic landmark building which are former mansions. Both were shut down Monday with faculty meetings moved to other locations.
The school's principal sent out a letter saying, "While it was only found in small amounts and is unlikely to have infected anyone, we have closed the mansions this weekend to eradicate the bacteria."
Officials from the New York City Department of Health confirm that the school has taken action, releasing a statement saying:
"The Convent of the Sacred Heart School properly disinfected its cooling tower. Its cooling tower's positive test result, and subsequent disinfection, underscores the importance of the new legislation the mayor signed just two weeks ago."
The school says it plans to open as scheduled next week.