Orange County COVID-19 hospitalizations climb to new high for second straight day

Orange County has reported three new deaths due to COVID-19 and an additional 157 cases of the novel coronavirus that causes the disease as of Wednesday, according to numbers provided by the Orange County Health Care Agency.

The three reported deaths bring the county’s total to 80 during the pandemic. Seventeen skilled nursing facility residents have lost their lives due to the virus.

Cumulative cases of the coronavirus in the county have reached 3,749. The 157 new cases are the second most reported in a single day during the pandemic. There were 158 new cases reported on May 1.

There were 550 new tests performed for infection with the virus, increasing the total of tests administered to 57,167.

At present, 248 cases have required hospitalization, exceeding the previous high of 230, which was reported on Tuesday. Among those in hospitals due to COVID-19, 98 patients are in an intensive care unit. All 25 eligible hospitals reported for this period.

Those between the ages of 25 to 34 (18% or 670 cases) have accounted for the most infections when the cumulative coronavirus cases are broken down by age. Seventeen percent fall in the age bracket of 45 to 54, 16% between 55 to 64, and 15% between 35 to 44. People in the age groups of 18 to 24 and 65 to 74 make up 10% of the cumulative cases, respectively.

Of the 80 deaths to be reported countywide, 55 (68.8%) have been patients who were at least 65 years old. Among those reported to have died, 39% have been identified as Latino, 33% white, 19% Asian and 4% African American.

Here are the latest case counts for select cities, with their numbers per 10,000 residents:

• Santa Ana: 586 (17.4 cases per 10,000 residents)
• Anaheim: 581 (16.2 cases per 10,000 residents)
• Huntington Beach: 272 (13.3 cases per 10,000 residents)
• Irvine: 144 (5.1 cases per 10,000 residents)
• Newport Beach: 130 (14.9 cases per 10,000 residents)
• Costa Mesa: 51 (4.4 cases per 10,000 residents)
• Laguna Beach: 43 (18.4 cases per 10,000 residents)
• Fountain Valley: 41 (7.2 cases per 10,000 residents)

Updated figures are posted daily at occovid19.ochealthinfo.com/coronavirus-in-oc.

For information on getting tested, visit occovid19.ochealthinfo.com/covid-19-testing-and-screening.

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