The State Orders McLaren Flint Hospital To Reduce Legionnaires’ Risks
(CBS DETROIT/AP) — The state is intervening in an attempt to curb the spread of legionnaires at a Flint hospital.
The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services and the Department of Licensing and Regulatory on Wednesday ordered McLaren Flint Hospital to “immediately correct conditions.”
Hospital spokeswoman Rosemary Plorin says in an email they believe the order “is unfounded and represents the state’s continuous efforts to shift blame for their bad decisions made five years ago onto our hospital.”
Flint, while under state financial management, switched to the Flint River for water in 2014 without treating it to reduce corrosion. Lead leached from pipes, contaminating the system. At the same time, a deadly Legionnaires’ disease outbreak occurred that led to criminal charges against government officials.
Legionnaires’ is a severe form of pneumonia caused by water-borne bacteria.
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