Orange County nursing home coronavirus cases pass 1,000

The coronavirus continues its spread through local nursing homes, passing 1,000 known cases among residents while more facilities claim outbreaks.

The Orange County Health Care Agency reported 1,003 cumulative cases across area nursing homes Wednesday of the virus that causes COVID-19. That’s among 9,197 total infections overall.

Orange County Emergency Medical Services said 29 of the county’s 71 skilled nursing facilities had outbreaks, defined as at least two resident diagnoses within the last 14 days, as of Tuesday, the most recent day available. The county reported 26 outbreaks on June 2, and 23 on June 1.

And deaths from the virus increased by 10 Wednesday, to 243 total. Seven of the new deaths were in nursing homes, where 124 have now died in total.

This puts 11% of coronavirus cases and 51% of related deaths in nursing homes, where typically elderly people in frail health live in close quarters. With Wednesday’s update, about 12% of nursing home coronavirus patients have succumbed. That compares to a fatality rate of about 1.5% among the general population diagnosed with COVID-19 and not living in nursing homes.

In other general coronavirus metrics Wednesday, reported hospitalizations were at 328 with 131 in intensive care, while estimated total recoveries increased to 4,414.

The county also reported 1,134 additional tests over Tuesday, bringing Orange County to 193,405 total tests given. Daily updates are preliminary and subject to change as the county receives new information.

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

• Santa Ana: 1,977 (58.5 cases per 10,000 residents)
• Anaheim: 1,754 (48.8 cases per 10,000 residents)
• Huntington Beach: 452 (22.2 cases per 10,000 residents)
• Irvine: 249 (8.9 cases per 10,000 residents)
• Costa Mesa: 187 (16.1 cases per 10,000 residents)
• Newport Beach: 180 (20.6 cases per 10,000 residents)
• Fountain Valley: 79 (13.9 cases per 10,000 residents)
• Laguna Beach: 53 (22.7 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.

Support our coverage by becoming a digital subscriber.