COVID-19 stats tell grim story

Even as the first doses of vaccine arrive, grim new records continue to be set for Orange County’s battle with the coronavirus. According to Wednesday’s report from the county health agency, spikes are occurring in all four major categories.

New cases leaped from 2,173 to 3,231 for Wednesday. Deaths rose from one to 23. Hospitalizations saw an increase from 1,287 to 1,486 and COVID-19 patients in intensive care units went from 296 to 319.

The total number of cases to-date in Orange County is now 111,168, of which 68,773 are considered recovered. Cumulative deaths are at 1,718 people.

In the Southern California region (which includes Orange County), the adjusted availability of ICU beds is at 0.5 percent, with the unadjusted figure at 12.1 percent. The goal is 15 percent.

Here is a list of the OC cities with the most cases. Deaths are in parentheses.

• Santa Ana: 21,983 (347)
• Anaheim: 18,665 (368)
• Garden Grove: 6,826 (123)
• Orange: 5,321 (78)
• Fullerton: 5,231 (126)
• Huntington Beach: 4,515 (94)

Westminster has 2,799 cases and 37 deaths. Stanton has 1,386 cases and 18 deaths.