Expecting a spike in cases of COVID-19 within two to four weeks, Orange County healthcare officials said they are marshaling available resources now to ensure hospitals have enough beds for ill people and healthcare workers have vital equipment and supplies. All hospitals in the county have been asked to activate their existing “surge plans,” which gives the county a total of 5,376 beds, and a decision is expected within days on whether more capacity will be added at the Fairview Developmental Center in Costa Mesa, county Director of Public Health David Souleles said on Tuesday, March 31. The hospitals have been running at 65% to 67% full and most have canceled elective procedures, so “significant capacity” remains available, Souleles said at a press conference. But he and county Supervisor Andrew Do cautioned residents they still need to stay home for the near future to help reduce the spread of the coronavirus.

Orange County’s coronavirus cases increased Tuesday with three new deaths reported, bringing the total number of cases to 502 with a total of 7 fatalities, health officials said.

Health officials said 94 are hospitalized, with 46 in intensive care.   On Monday, there were 464 cases.   Of the total number of confirmed cases 38% are between the ages of 45 and 64, 16% are between 35 and 44, 17% are between 25 and 34, 11% are between 18 and 24, and 18% are over 65. One person is a child whose gender and age were not specified. Men make up 56% of the total number of confirmed cases. Of the patients who died of complications from COVID-19, 57% were 65 and older, 14% were 25 to 34, 14% were 35 to 44, and 14% were 45 to 64.

The first death in Orange County was reported last Tuesday.