GROVE CITY – Officials at Mount Carmel Health System confirmed Sunday that one of the patients who was diagnosed with Legionnaires’ disease at the system’s hospital in Grove City has died.
The cluster of cases at the seven-story, 200-bed facility was identified Friday, according to a statement from Ohio Department of Health director Dr. Amy Acton. The first patient diagnosed with Legionnaires’, a severe form of pneumonia, was admitted April 29, a day after the hospital opened, she said.
We are deeply saddened to confirm that one of the patients who was diagnosed with Legionnaires’ disease passed away today. Out of respect for the family’s privacy and in keeping with patient privacy laws, we are not discussing the specifics and complexities of patient information. We can say that it’s too early to determine the final cause of death. – statement from Dr. Richard Streck, chief clinical operations officer, Mount Carmel Health System
Streck says the hospital is implementing extensive water restrictions while its entire water supply is disinfected and additional tests are conducted on water sources throughout the facility.
My entire team and I are deeply saddened by the death announced tonight by Mount Carmel Grove City, and our thoughts and prayers go out to the family. We share concern for all impacted by this outbreak. The Ohio Department of Health continues to work closely with Franklin County Public Health and the Mount Carmel Hospital System as we work to ensure patient safety. -Ohio Department of Health director Dr. Amy Acton
Acton says Legionnaires’ disease generally kills about 10 percent of those diagnosed in the general population, but that rate can rise to one in 4 people when the outbreak is at a nursing home or hospital.