NEW CASES of COVID-19 are up in this week’s report from the Orange County Health Care Agency (Shutterstock).

Is our old nemesis COVID-19 making a winter comeback?

The number of new coronavirus cases, deaths, hospitalizations and use of intensive care units is showing a pattern of increases, according to the newest statistics released by the Orange County Health Care Agency.

Thursday’s report – covering the period of Dec. 1 to 7 – shows 4,449 confirmed new cases. That compares to 3,690 the week before and 1,062 on Nov. 18.

Deaths are at 17, compared to six the week before and six on Nov. 18. Hospitalizations are at 388, an increase from 299 last week and 143 on Nov. 18.

The use of intensive care units to treat COVID-19 is 48, up from 38 the previous week and 22 on Nov. 18.

To date, the total of coronavirus cases confirmed in Orange County is at 687,334. Deaths are at 7,594.

Nationally, The New York Times is reporting that “conditions are worsening across the country” and that reported cases and hospitalizations have increased by one-fourth over the past two weeks.