A New Jersey man became the first person in the state to die from the new coronavirus, officials announced on Tuesday.

The man was identified as John Brennan, 69, of Little Ferry, by a friend and an official with the company that owns Yonkers Raceway, where Mr. Brennan worked. He had a history of health problems before contracting the coronavirus, the state’s health commissioner, Judith Persichilli, said. He went to doctors last week complaining of a fever and a cough.

He was admitted to Hackensack University Medical Center on Friday and subsequently had two heart attacks, Ms. Persichilli said. Officials said at a news conference that he died Tuesday morning.

Mr. Brennan was not known to have traveled outside the United States, but he did travel between his home in New Jersey and New York, Ms. Persichilli said. Yonkers Raceway is in Westchester County, just north of New York City.

“We are sad to report the first death in a case of Covid-19 in New Jersey,” Gov. Philip D. Murphy and Lt. Gov. Sheila Oliver said in a statement. “Our prayers are with the family during this difficult time.”

Joe Faraldo, the president of the Standardbred Owners Association of New York, said that Mr. Brennan, a longtime friend, “was in charge of making sure that those horses were well cared for in the paddock” and that he regularly held court in his small office near the racetrack.