CALIFORNIA IN BRIEF : RICHMOND : Bacteria Keeps Building Closed

The Social Security Administration building where Legionnaires’ disease struck nine workers, killing one, could remain closed for another two weeks, officials said. Scattered pockets of bacteria have been found throughout the sprawling six-story building, making clean-up efforts tougher. Results of water tests showed that the basement, water fountains and elevator shafts were among the infected areas, said Tino Serrano of the U.S. Occupational Health and Safety Administration. “It all indicates that it is more widespread than we thought,” said Serrano. Employees are to report for work Tuesday at the Civic Auditorium. Some will be assigned to offices in the San Francisco Bay Area. Officials have yet to pinpoint what caused the Legionella bacteria to develop in the building, though some speculated that it may have been caused by the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake.