OC cases, deaths in big surge

After a sharp decline on Tuesday, the pace of confirmed new coronavirus cases in Orange County more than doubled in Friday’s report.

According to the county health care agency, for the period of July 5-7, confirmed new cases were at 4,583. That’s a rounded average of 1,528, compared to Tuesday’s average of 666.

Deaths rose from zero to 19 and hospitalizations increased from 227 to 277. The use of intensive care units for COVID-19 patients climbed from 30 to 34.

To date, Orange County has had 611,300 cases of coronavirus, of which 578,571 are considered recovered. The death total is 7,145.

Nationally, The New York Times reports that – over a 14-day period – new cases are up 8 percent but deaths down 2 percent. Hospitalizations have increased by 15 percent.

In California, Los Angeles Times calculates that new cases have declined by 13 percent, but deaths have risen by 27 percent over a similar period.