CORONAVIRUS numbers in Orange County in this week’s report showed new cases down and deaths
up (Shutterstock).

After a steep rise last week, the number of confirmed new coronavirus cases in Orange County has dropped to a more typical level.

According to the county health care agency, the latest tally of new cases – for the period covering May 4-10 – was 548, compared to the previous week’s total of 1,859. Two weeks ago the total was 562.

The death rate continued to rise, though, going from 18 last week to 25 this week. Two weeks ago the total was nine fatalities tied to the virus.

Hospitalizations are at 83, compared to 67 the week before and 86 two weeks ago.

The use of intensive care units to treat COVID-19 patients continues to decline, to nine this week compared to 11 last week and 12 the week before that.

To date, Orange County has had 720,787 confirmed coronavirus cases and 8,152 deaths.