New cases back on the rise

After several days of declines, some statistics on the coronavirus pandemic in Orange County rose in Friday’s report.

According to the county health care agency, confirmed new cases rose to 567 from 476 on Thursday. Deaths increased from 24 to 31 and the number of patients being treated for COVID-19 in intensive care units ticked up from 76 to 77.

However, hospitalizations declined from 399 to 363.

So far, Orange County has had 535,175 cases of coronavirus, of which 498,829 are considered recovered. The total of deaths is at 6,450.

Nationally, cases are down 68 percent and deaths down by 13 percent over a 14-day period, according to The New York Times. In California, cases have fallen by 71 percent, but deaths have risen by 23 percent over a similar period.

To our readers: Because of the observance on Monday of George Washington’s birthday, the OCHCA will not be posting case counts and other updated statistics until Tuesday, Feb. 22.