The Sheraton Atlanta said it will stay closed until at least August 11 after three more guests contracted Legionnaires’ disease.
That takes the number to people affected to nine, the Georgia department of public health said.
The hotel voluntarily closed its doors a week ago when the Legionnella bug was first suspected although health officials still haven’t determined that the hotel is the source of the outbreak.
Officials are continuing to test all locations at pools, hot tubs and plumbing in an effort to locate the source.
These facilities will remain closed until at least mid-August.
Water facilities or water mist and droplets are the main cause of the spread of Legionnaires’ disease which can prove fatal for older people with existing medical condtions, said state health spokeswoman Nancy Nydam.
No deaths have been reported yet, public health officials said.
