Second death reported in Legionnaires' disease outbreak in New York City

NEW YORK -- City health officials have confirmed that a second person has died in connection to the ongoing Legionnaires' disease outbreak on the Upper East Side.

New York City's Health Commissioner Dr. Alister F. Martin made the announcement on Friday evening.

As of Saturday night, 72 people have been diagnosed with Legionnaires' disease, and nine people are hospitalized in association with this cluster.

The tragic announcement comes just days after the city revealed more than 45 additional positive tests for Legionella bacteria linked to cooling towers on the Upper East Side.

So far, they have ordered a total of 76 buildings to clean their cooling towers as they work to contain the ongoing outbreak.

SEE ALSO | What to know about Legionnaires' disease

Health officials are urging anyone experiencing pneumonia-like symptoms to seek medical attention.

"We are heartbroken to learn that another New Yorker has lost their life to Legionnaires' disease on the Upper East Side. Our deepest condolences are with their loved ones as they grieve," said NYC Health Commissioner Dr. Alister F. Martin. "While we mourn this loss, the data are also encouraging. Our aggressive strategy of testing, enforcement, and remediation appears to have stopped the source of exposure. We directed every building with an initial positive test result to immediately clean and disinfect its cooling tower, and every one has completed that work. We have also reminded cooling tower operators across the city of their summertime requirement to increase use of biocides that kill Legionella bacteria. We will continue inspecting every cooling tower that tested positive and will hold accountable any owner who fails to comply with our public health laws."