OC Sees Decline in New COVID-19 Cases

After a worrisome surge in COVID-19 cases at the beginning of the summer, the county is experiencing fewer reported cases. 

The OC Health Care Agency reported 678 cases per day on average in the week, significantly down from 912 cases per day last week and 921 cases per day the week before that, ending July 9.

The decline in the past week comes after the county had seen cases increase at a much more rapid pace in recent months than in the first three months of the virus in the county.

Between March and May, there were about 6,100 cases reported in Orange County. Since the start of June, those case counts have more than quadrupled, with 26,548 new cases reported in the past seven weeks.

The uptick in cases in June was attributed to crowds and gatherings around Memorial Day weekend, as well as graduation parties, Father’s Day celebrations and other social activities throughout the month. 

The state has since tightened restrictions around restaurants, salons and barbershops, which are currently only permitted to operate outdoors. The OC Health Care Agency and local hospitals have also gotten more aggressive in urging residents to wear masks, especially in areas where social distancing isn’t possible.

Fewer residents appear to be testing positive for coronavirus, with a 12.6% average positive rate in the week ending 23.

There are 32,648 cumulative cases in Orange County to date.