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 fifth person has died in connection with a Legionnaires’ disease outbreak in New York City. The outbreak in Central Harlem has sickened dozens since it began in late July and the latest death was announced Monday night.

Rainwater left untreated in cooling towers atop city-owned Harlem Hospital fueled the Big Apple’s deadliest Legionnaire’s disease outbreak in a decade, the Rev. Al Sharpton charged Tuesday.

A Legionnaires' disease cluster in New York City has grown, with two deaths and more than 50 others sickened so far, officials said. The New York City Department of Health said in an update Aug. 4 that 58 people in Central Harlem have been diagnosed with Legionnaires' disease since July 25. Two people have died so far, NYC Health said.