Salem Coronavirus: Tenants Worried After Resident Tests Positive

SALEM, MA — Tenants at a Salem apartment complex that was hit with two cases of Legionnaires' disease last year say they are worried after a resident tested positive for the new coronavirus.

Managers of the Pequot Highlands apartment complex sent a letter to the building's 700 tenants Tuesday saying the person had been told by their doctor to self-quarantine in their apartment. The letter outlined steps the apartment complex was taking to minimize the spread of the new coronavirus and said "the risk of infections is thought to be low."

In an email to Patch Thursday, a spokesperson for the apartment complex's owner said "there is zero scientific evidence that the virus can be spread through HVAC systems."

"In fact, such a scenario is impossible at Pequot Highlands," Ed Cafasso, senior vice president of communications for WinnCompanies, said. "The hallway ventilation units at the property draw fresh, conditioned air from the outside the building. Each heating unit inside an apartment only uses air from that apartment and no others. The air conditioners in each unit are through-wall air conditioners and utilize only the air within the specific apartment unit as well."

Some residents, however, said they were nervous. In October, two residents tested positive for Legionnaires' disease, a dangerous form of pneumonia that can be contracted by inhaling mist or vapor containing Legionella bacteria. The apartment management company had to treat the building's water system and change shower heads in each unit. Outbreaks of Legionnaires' disease often occur in large buildings like apartment complexes, with the bacteria spreading through the air conditioning system or through the water system.

Don't miss updates about precautions in your area as they are announced. Sign up for Patch news alerts and newsletters.

"My concern is the HVAC system!!!" one resident said in an email to Patch. "I was expecting this but, my issue is I have a child with health issues. This is about to get real ugly."

Cafasso said there is no connection between Legionnaires Disease and the coronavirus. The company has spent $700,000 on upgrades since the October incident. Those repairs were completed in February and state and local health officials "are completely satisfied with the intensive measures taken by the property and by the subsequent test results confirming the water system’s safety," he said.

Researchers are still trying to understand how COVID-19 spreads and most of their work has focused on trying to understand how the virus spreads from direct contact. There is little information on whether the new coronavirus can spread through heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems.

Last month New York City advised apartment building owners there was no evidence showing coronavirus could spread over long distances or through HVAC systems, but also advised apartment building management companies to make sure ventilation systems were cleaned and working properly on a regular basis.

More Coronavirus Coverage On Massachusetts Patch:

• Choosing Who To Save: MA Issues Guidelines For Coronavirus Surge
• MA Coronavirus: New Projection Doubles Likely Death Toll
• MA Companies Lay Off 3,700 As Coronavirus Downturn Continues
• Salem Market Basket Worker Dies After Coronavirus Fight

Dave Copeland writes for Patch and can be reached at dave.copeland@patch.com or by calling 617-433-7851. Follow him on Twitter (@CopeWrites) and Facebook (/copewrites).