CORONAVIRUS cases are up this week in Orange County (Shutterstock).

The number of confirmed new coronavirus cases in Orange County rose steeply in the weekly count released on Thursday.

According to the county health care agency, the number of new cases is 2,522 for the period ending June 21, a sharp rise from 304 last week and 419 the previous week.

Deaths. however, declined to nine from 12, and 11 the week before.

To date, the number of total COVID-19 cases is now at 725,368 and deaths are at 8,215.