The Michigan health department has released a new report linking cases of legionnaires disease in Flint to the McLaren Flint hospital.
The state has repeatedly tried to show a direct link to the hospital and an uptick in legionnaires cases between 2014 and 2015.
Two studies released earlier this year estimated that 80% of the legionnaires cases could be linked to the change in Flint’s water supply. The state has since pushed back against the studies, saying it found errors in how the research was conducted.
The new MDHHS report found that McLaren Flint was quote the “only common source” of infection. Of the 32 people infected with legionella who did not come into contact with the hospital, only 9 lived on Flint water.
In a written statement, a spokesperson for McLaren Flint said of the state’s report quote “we find the timing of the release to be an interesting coincidence as the first phase of criminal proceedings against MDHHS winds down.” The spokesperson added that the report “reflects the state’s normal pattern of attempting to shift liability away from those criminally charged.”
An MDHHS spokesperson responded quote “our report was released when it was completed” and “it’s unfortunate that this hospital system continues to ignore crucial details regarding the outbreak.”