The New York City Department of Health (DOH) reported a surge in Upper East Side Legionnaires' disease cases reaching 59, before the rate of reported spread decreased as building owners cleaned cooling towers where bacteria DNA was detected. The department, which began investigating July 2, obtained 11 positive tests on July 6 and 10 on July 7, before slowing to six on July 8, none on July 10 and 11 and one July 12. As of July 9, 183 water towers had been tested and Legionella bacteria, alive or dead, was detected in 31, all since sanitized. Of the 59 cases,15 remain hospitalized, 33 discharged, and 11 never hospitalized. Officials downplayed risks of being near buildings where bacteria is detected, stating it disperses through air.