Gov. Phil Murphy on Saturday evening announced the second coronavirus death in New Jersey — a woman in her 50s.

The unidentified woman was being treated at Centra State Medical Center in Freehold, Murphy announced via social media.

The woman, who died on Thursday, was suspected of having had coronavirus, but doctors were unable to make the confirmation until testing results were returned. The death was first mentioned by state Health Commissioner Judith Persichilli during a Friday afternoon press conference.

Sad to announce our second death of an individual with #COVID19 - a female in her 50s who was being treated at @CentraState Medical Center in Monmouth County.



Please wash your hands frequently and practice social distancing. We will get through this together. — Governor Phil Murphy (@GovMurphy) March 15, 2020

New Jersey’s outbreak of COVID-19, the disease caused by the novel coronavirus, is escalating. There are now 69 cases in the state as of Saturday afternoon, though the number could be as high as 75 based on additional information from Bergen County.

This comes after the state on Saturday announced 19 new cases of COVID-19 in New Jersey.

The state Department of Health has been providing updates on the case numbers on its website.

The spread of the virus has prompted unprecedented measures throughout the state. Schools have closed. Large gatherings have been banned. Sports and cultural events have been canceled.

The announcement of the second death has only furthered a crisis only intensifying in the Garden State.

In his statement, Murphy reminded people to “please wash your hands frequently and practice social distancing."

He also said: "We will get through this together.”

This is a breaking news story and will be updated as more information becomes available.

Spencer Kent may be reached at skent@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @SpencerMKent. Find NJ.com on Facebook.

Have a tip? Tell us. nj.com/tips.

Get the latest updates right in your inbox. Subscribe to NJ.com’s newsletters.