CORONAVIRUS cases in Orange County continue to rise, according to statistics released by the county health care agency today (Shutterstock).

The trajectory of new confirmed coronavirus cases in Orange County continues to rise sharply, based on the latest statistics from the county health care agency.

According to the OCHCA, Monday’s tally – reflecting three days – is at 1,996, which averages out to 665.333 cases a day. That compares to Friday’s total of 593 and Thursday’s sum of 522.

(The county health agency does not report corona statistics on weekends and holidays.)

Deaths rose from zero to two. Hospitalizations increased from 252 to 322 and the number of patients being treated for COVID-19 in intensive care units went from 59 to 68.

To date, there have been 266,167 cases in Orange County, of which 251,710 are considered recovered. Deaths are at 5,143.

Nationwide, The New York Times is reporting that – over a 14-day period – new cases are up 149 percent and that deaths have risen 14 percent. For California, the Los Angeles Times is reporting a 127 percent increase in new cases and a 35 percent rise in deaths over a similar period.