THREE OF FOUR statistics on the coronavirus in Orange County showed improvement on Wednesday, but new cases did not (Shutterstock).

Confirmed new cases of coronavirus in Orange County showed a sharp increase in Wednesday’s report, but the other three major metrics showed declines.

According to the OCHCA, new cases rose to 646 from 355 on Tuesday. However, deaths dropped for five to four. Hospitalizations fell from 556 to 534 and patients being treated for COVID-19 in intensive care units ticked down from 150 to 149.

To date, cases in Orange County have totaled 286,099, of which 265,127 are considered to be recovered. Deaths now total 5,229.

Nationally, The New York Times is reporting that – over a 14-day period – new cases are up 14 percent and deaths by 93 percent. In California, the Los Angeles Times is calculating that cases have risen by 12 percent and deaths by 77 percent over a similar period.