G overnor Kathy Hochul defended New York City's response to the Legionnaires ' disease outbreak after officials on Tuesday confirmed the death toll had risen to five.

A 2015 outbreak of Legionnaires' disease, traced to a cooling tower at a hotel, forced New York City to address a problem that had long been suspected but never adequately addressed: the role of buildings in spreading Legionella bacteria through the air.

NEW YORK -- A fifth person has died in connection with a Legionnaires’ disease outbreak in New York City, health officials said. The outbreak in Central Harlem has sickened dozens since it began in late July and the latest death was announced late Monday night. Fourteen people were hospitalized as of Monday, according to the health department.