As of May 1, Anaheim has a total of 364 cases reported as countywide testing reaches a new peak, according to the Orange County Health Care Agency.

This week, the county has consistently processed more than 2,000 tests a day, a substantial increase from weeks prior.

We and the county are looking to get to 4,000 daily tests as part of planning to gradually reopen the economy (see the California Update section below for more).

But, as more testing is done, more cases will be found here in Anaheim and across Orange County.

While we don't want to see any new cases, detection of new patients means they will self-isolate and be treated as necessary, which helps stem the spread of coronavirus in our city.

Anaheim's 364 cases make up 14 percent of the county's total reported cases.

Fourteen percent is three percentage points above our 11 percent share of Orange County's population.

Among cities, Santa Ana has the most cases at 430, followed by Anaheim at 364, Huntington Beach at 225 and Irvine at 133.

Anaheim and the other three cities are the largest in Orange County by population, so we would expect them to have the highest number of cases compared to other cities in the county.

Santa Ana's case count also includes cases discovered among jail inmates housed in the city.

A note on case counts: for Anaheim and all of Orange County case counts are cumulative --meaning they are a running tally since tracking began.

So Anaheim's count does not reflect active cases, which are smaller. Thankfully, the vast majority of people who tested positive weeks ago in our city have gone on to recover.

Even so, we all need to continue doing what needs to be done to prevent new cases.

• With summer-like weather with us through the weekend again, go out and enjoy the sun. But, beyond immediate family and households, do not gather or play group sports in parks and other spaces.
• Continue to stay home except for essential work and outings.
• Wear face coverings when out for essential work and outings, and clean your face coverings often.
• As we think about an eventual, gradual recovery, it will look much like essential life does today -- face coverings, physical distancing, washing hands and other best practices. The best practices we consistently do today will serve us well going forward.

As of May 1, the Orange County Health Care Agency, the lead agency for coronavirus in our region, is tracking 2,537 cases.

Orange County has seen 50 deaths -- the first of which was reported March 24 -- from complications of Covid-19, the condition caused by coronavirus.

OC Health and private labs have conducted 34,128 tests as of May 1.

The county continues to increase testing, looking to get to 4,000 tests daily as part of planning to gradually reopen the economy. 

The 2,537 cases represent an 7 percent positive rate, down slightly from last week.

That means 93 percent of tests are coming back negative.  We and others continue to watch the positive rate on testing.

With a significant sample size of tests done, Orange County's positive rate remains on par with California and lower than that of Los Angeles County, the nation as a whole and hard-hit New York state.

Countywide, patients hospitalized pulled back today from a peak hit on April 30.

As of May 1, hospitalized patients were 181 with 61 of those in intensive-care units, or 33 percent.

Hospitalizations hit a peak of 190 a day earlier, with 63 of those patients in ICU.

You can read more about testing at Anaheim.net/coronavirus.

California is "many days, not weeks" from entering a second phase of recovery, Gov. Gavin Newsom said on May 1, updating his "weeks not months" guidance provided just days earlier on April 28.

In phase two, more retailers, manufacturers, small offices and childcare operators here in Anaheim and across California will be able to reopen with limitations and modifications.

Restaurants, with limitations, were added to that phase-two list on May 1.

We are expecting to hear more details on moving to phase two early next week.

Anaheim will follow any easing in California's stay-at-home order with a gradual reopening of some businesses in our city.

Currently, we're in the first phase of a four-phase plan the governor has identified for a gradual reopening and recovery.

Phase one is various containment, staying at home as much as possible and with only essential businesses allowed to operate.

After moving to phase two, salons, barbers, gyms, movie theaters, sports without fans and places of worship would come next in phase three, according to the governor.

Conventions, concerts, sports with fans and large entertainment gatherings could come later in phase four.

We anticipate that The Anaheim Resort, which includes theme parks, the convention center, hotels, restaurants and shops, will span phases two, three and four.

Timing for phases three and four would be in "months not weeks," the governor said.

Anaheim schools and others across California could resume classroom learning with an early start to the new school year, possibly in July or August.

As we hear from Anaheim's school districts, we will update the Schools section on our coronavirus info page.

Guidelines released by Orange County for businesses on April 28 are designed for when -- and not before -- California starts to ease its stay-at-home order.

You can read Orange County's business guidelines here.

We have been bracing our community that reopening will be gradual, and California has reaffirmed that.

Physical distancing, face coverings and other measures we're following now will be with us for some time.

To get from phase one -- our current phase of coronavirus containment and safeguarding essential workplaces -- to phase two, California is looking for:

• Employer flexibility and government policies to allow workers to stay home if they are sick, including sick pay
• Implementation now of physical distancing, barriers and other preventive measures to reduce the risk of coronavirus spread in workplaces and at businesses
• Continuing to work from home and teleconference as much as possible
• Continuing physical distancing, wearing face coverings, limiting non-essential trips and outings
• Expanded testing to quickly address future cases in a gradual reopening
• Stabilization in hospitalizations and intensive-care cases, as well as the ability of hospitals to handle future outbreaks
• Sufficient supplies of medical-grade masks and other personal protective equipment for testing and healthcare
• Contact tracing of those recently in contact with someone confirmed to have Covid-19 to ensure self-isolation and to prevent future spread

This means developing plans to bring employees and customers back in limited numbers.

For employers, that could be with rotating, in-person shifts for some while others continue to work from home.

It means layout changes to offices, factories and other sites to afford more distance among those who will be working onsite. It also means looking at physical barriers including cubicle walls and plastic barrier shields.

Public serving businesses will want to think about staggered shifts, limited operating hours and appointments where possible to limit the amount of people on hand at any one time.

You'll also need face coverings, gloves and other preventive gear and stepped up cleaning and disinfecting of commonly touched surfaces and frequently visited areas.

Businesses, workplaces and gathering places covered under phases three and four need to be doing the same planning and preparation.

We know businesses are struggling with the stay-at-home order, and this requires effort and spending that won't be easy.

But getting your business or workplace ready now means you'll be able to open as soon as California clears us to do so and get on to recovery sooner.

Our residents need to keep doing what needs to be done -- staying home as much as possible, staying six feet away from others you don't live with, wearing face coverings and cleaning and disinfecting.

These measures will be with us for a long time. Mastering them now will ease the reopening and recovery process.

We know things are really hard for many people right now who have lost work due to the coronavirus outbreak.

There are many of you who may be struggling to pay your bills, pay your rent or buy food for your family.

Anaheim's small business owners are also hurting.

We're here to help, with many resources for our community.

If you need food, check out our  list of food distribution events  here .

Small businesses that need help can click here. We also have information about how to apply for federal and state assistance under the "Business Help" tab at Anaheim.net/coronavirus.

Business owners and residents who are struggling to pay the rent can take advantage of our Eviction Protection Program. You can read more here. 

Finally, we know electricity and water are so important, especially with families staying home more. That's why Anaheim Public Utilities has pledged not to shut off anyone's service due to inability to pay because of coronavirus impacts.

We continue to look at new ways to help our residents and businesses as a city, including additional aid programs, business loans and more. 

We'll provide updates on those programs when we have more information to share.

We will all get through this together. Anaheim strong.