COVID count shows increase

NEW ORANGE COUNTY coronavirus cases rose in Friday’s count (Shutterstock).

The count of confirmed new coronavirus cases in Orange County reversed course on Friday and almost doubled.

According to the county health care authority, new cases went from 28 on Thursday to 55 on Friday. Deaths increased from one to three and hospitalizations due to the virus ticked up from 61 to 62. Patients being treated for COVID-19 in intensive care units declined from 18 to 14.

To date, coronavirus cases in the OC number 255,164, of which 248,839 are considered recovered. Deaths are at 5,059.

Nationally, new cases are down 35 percent over a 14-day period, according to The New York Times. Deaths are down 20 percent. But in California, the Los Angeles Times is reporting that new cases are up 12 percent and deaths 21 percent.