THE LATEST report on the coronavirus pandemic in the OC on Wednesday shows a near-doubling of new cases (Shutterstock).

New confirmed coronavirus cases in Orange County nearly doubled in Wednesday’s report, reversing two days of improvement.

According to the county health care agency, Wednesday’s tally was 1,213, up sharply from Tuesday’s total of 668.

Deaths increased from three to four. Hospitalizations continued their steady march upward to 568 from 549 the day before, and the number of patients being treated for COVID-19 in intensive care units declined slightly from 126 to 125.

To date, the number of coronavirus cases in Orange County has totaled 277,845, of which 256,205 are judged recovered. The death total is at 5,165.

Nationally, the number of new cases is up 52 percent over a 14-day period, according to The New York Times. Deaths are up 87 percent. In California, the rate of increase is 31 percent, with deaths up 88 percent over a similar period.