While COVID-19 is a disease that can cause serious illness and death, and those 65 and older or those with underlying health conditions are most vulnerable, studies by the World Health Organization estimate that approximately 80% of persons with COVID-19 have a mild illness that resolves. The remaining persons with COVID-19 have more severe illness that may lead to hospitalization, delayed recovery and occasionally death. It is important to follow the state and local health official orders and guidance, which will help to protect all of us, especially the most vulnerable in our community.

To provide more inclusive reporting and case distribution throughout Orange County, effective April 2, 2020, positive COVID-19 cases by city will include incorporated cities and unincorporated areas of the county. Please note the following changes;

• Previously, cities with a population <25,000 and fewer than 5 cases, were listed in the table with no case count number. These cities will be removed from the table until the case count reaches 5 or more; this currently includes Laguna Woods, Los Alamitos and Villa Park.
• Going forward, unincorporated areas will be treated the same as incorporated cities; if population >25,000, the area is now included on the table with case count and if <25,000 and fewer than 5 cases, they are included in the “other” category until its case count reaches 5 or more.
• In order to make this change, cases which were previously reported to a city, but are actually located in an unincorporated area, will be reassigned to the appropriate area. This means that some cities may see a reduction in case counts.