Sickened Va. Tech students improving

Two Virginia Tech students who remained hospitalized after a carbon monoxide leak at an off-campus apartment complex were upgraded to good condition Thursday, a hospital spokesman said.

Five roommates and more than 20 people were sickened by the leak on Sunday. The five, all 19-year-old sophomores, shared a second-floor apartment where the leak occurred in a water heater. It apparently was caused by a faulty valve.

Kristen L. Julia of Ashburn and Kirstin Wendie Halik of Vienna remained at the University of Virginia Medical Center on Thursday night, a spokesman said.

The three others were released from Duke University Medical Center in Durham, N.C., earlier this week.

The corporate owner of the apartment complex said Tuesday it would install hard-wired carbon monoxide and smoke detectors in the 212 units. Carbon dioxide monitors are not required by law, but Blacksburg officials are investigating whether they can require their installation in apartments in town.