NEW NUMBERS of COVID-19 for Orange County reported for Wednesday hit near-record and record highs (Shutterstock).

Is it the post-Christmas spike that some public health officials warned us about?

Wednesday’s coronavirus infection numbers for Orange County blasted old records, according to the daily report from the county.

The OCHCA’s tally showed 4,514 new cases, nearly 2,000 more the day before. Twenty-seven deaths were noted, a change from one in Tuesday’s report. Hospitalizations are up to 2145 (compared to 2106) and COVID-19 cases in intensive care units rose to 479 from 473.

The year-to-date totals for coronavirus cases in Orange County are now at 156,573, of which 86,873 are considered recovered. Cumulative deaths are at 1,874.

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

• Santa Ana: 29,720 (372)
• Anaheim: 26,594 (401)
• Garden Grove: 9,729 (132)
• Orange: 7,543 (91)
• Fullerton: 7,057 (132)
• Huntington Beach: 6,234 (100)

Westminster has 4,217 cases and 42 deaths. Stanton has 1,925 cases and 22 deaths.