TRENTON, N.J. — A second person has died of coronavirus in the State of New Jersey, Gov. Phil Murphy announced Saturday evening.

"Sad to announce our second death of an individual with COVID19, a female in her 50s who was being treated at Centra State Medical Center in Monmouth County," he wrote.

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

"Please wash your hands frequently and practice social distancing. We will get through this together," he added.

The number of coronavirus cases in New Jersey rose by 19 to a total of 69 on Saturday, Gov. Phil Murphy said.

"We continue to work alongside local and county health officials, hospitals and our public health workforce," Murphy said of his administration's efforts to stem the outbreak.

The governor also lauded the House of Representatives for passing a COVID-19 stimulus bill on Friday and urged the Senate to quickly approve it and send it to President Donald Trump. Trump has voiced support for the legislation, which would provide free coronavirus tests, sick pay for workers and bolster food programs.

New Jersey reported the tri-state area's first coronavirus-related death on Tuesday. John Brennan, 69, had diabetes, which is another pre-existing condition that makes people more vulnerable to coronavirus. He was admitted to Hackensack University Medical Center on March 6 and suffered two cardiac arrests.

The Newark School District, meanwhile, announced all schools will remain closed through March 30. Mayor Ras Baraka said there are no confirmed cases in the city but schools were closing out of an abundance of caution.

Murphy said a decision on whether his administration would order widespread school closures would be made in the coming days.

