Case count takes a U-turn

Three days of decline in new confirmed coronavirus cases in Orange County reversed when a sharp increase was reported today.

According to the county health care agency, the count rose from 326 on Thursday to 394 on Friday. The number of persons being treated for COVID-19 in intensive care units increased from 102 to 108.

On the other hand, deaths fell from 11 to seven and hospitalizations declined from 371 to 367.

To date, Orange County has had 292,844 cases of coronavirus, of which 276,425 are considered recovered. 5,344 deaths have been reported.

At the national level, The New York Times is reporting that new cases –over a 14-day period – have declined by nine percent, but deaths are up 29 percent. In California, cases are down 34 percent, but deaths are up 39 percent, according to Los Angeles Times, over a similar period.