Anaheim saw a moderate increase in cases on May 8, adding 15 new cases for a total of 472, on what was a light day of testing and new cases reported countywide.

We've seen a more moderate increase in cases here overall this week, compared with last week. But that could change based on a lag in reporting that we could make up for over the weekend.

Anaheim's cases are out of 3,240 total cases in Orange County.

Cases posted often depend on many factors, including reporting of tests, both from private labs and other sites, back to the Orange County Health Care Agency.

The county continues to expand testing. The county has processed 46,372 tests as of May 8.

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

But, as more testing is done, we need to brace for and accept that 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 ultimately helps stem the spread of coronavirus in our city.

Anaheim's 472 cases make up 14 percent of the county's total reported cases, a percentage that has been generally consistent for several days.

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

Among cities, Anaheim has the most cases at 472, followed by Santa Ana at 456 Huntington Beach at 242 and Irvine at 140.

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.

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, as we gradually reopen more businesses, we all need to keep doing what needs to be done to prevent new cases. 

• Continue to stay home as much as possible, even as more businesses reopen.
• Carry hand sanitizer and, if available, cleaning wipes, when you're out.
• Wear face coverings when out for essential work and outings, and clean your face coverings often.
• Distance yourself from others at essential stores and when picking up food or purchases at curbside.
• After essential shopping, curbside pickup or getting food, wipe down items entering your home and leave bags and boxes outside.
• Enjoy time outside with your immediate family or household. Keep distance from others and do not gather in parks and other outdoor spaces.
• If you're sick, stay home and be careful not to sicken others in your household.
• Know the key symptoms of coronavirus and seek medical advice as necessary.
• 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.

Keep following us at Anaheim.net/coronavirus and on Facebook , Twitter and Instagram .

As of May 8, the Orange County Health Care Agency, the lead agency for coronavirus in our region, is tracking 3,240 cases.

Orange County has seen 71 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 46,372 tests as of May 8.

The 3,240 cases represent a 7 percent positive rate, unchanged for the past several days.

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

Countywide, the number of patients hospitalized on May 8 was relatively steady compared with yesterday at 188, while patients in intensive care were up slightly to 74.

Some retailers in Anaheim and across California can open for pickup service as early as today, May 8 under state guidelines.

This is part of a gradual reopening plan announced by Gov. Gavin Newsom on May 4 that allows us to move slowly into phase two of the state's four-phase reopening strategy.

This will be a half step out of phase one, which has been focused on containing coronavirus with only grocery, drug and other essential retailers operating.

Examples of retailers that can now open for curbside pickup and delivery service include clothing, book, toy, music, sporting goods stores, florists and others, according to the governor.

Manufacturers, warehouses and other logistical support for retailers reopening also are now allowed to operate, if they have not been already.

Businesses that are reopening will need to follow health guidelines laid out by the state. The guidelines indicate businesses should:

1. Perform a risk assessment of their site and planned operations.
2. Have a plan in place for cleaning and disinfecting, as well as providing protective gear for employees.
3. Implement physical distancing among workers, including in break areas.
4. Have a specific plan for screening employees and dealing with potential cases among staff.
5. Train employees to self-screen for Covid-19 symptoms, to stay home if they are sick and to know how to prevent the spread of coronavirus.

Other businesses and operations expected to open in phase two will come later, according to the governor. They include:

• Offices
• Dining in at restaurants
• Shopping centers, malls
• Outdoor museums
• Schools and childcare facilities 
• Personal services such as car washes, pet grooming 

Anaheim's major attractions, including sports, theme parks and the Anaheim Convention Center could span phases three and four, with limitations, modifications and precautions.

Anaheim is looking to work with the county of Orange to move through phases as quickly and safely as possible.

Read the full update at Anaheim.net/coronavirus.

Expanded access to testing remains critical for us as we begin to gradually resume parts of daily life.

It will allow us to quickly check to see if someone's infected and address cases of Covid-19 quickly.

Most testing is what's known as swab testing (also known as polymerise chain reaction or PCR testing). Swab testing is the standard for determining whether someone is currently infected with Covid-19.

Some providers also offer antibody testing, also known as serology testing, which determines whether someone was previously exposed to coronavirus.

Antibody testing is not a good indicator of current infection. Nor can it guarantee immunity, as health experts are still unsure whether or not someone can be reinfected with Covid-19.

But it can be helpful in determining whether someone's been exposed and for studying what that means for future immunity.

For now, testing remains largely based on medical priority.

We are working to expand testing in Anaheim as we gradually reopen under California's guidelines.

Right now, AltaMed is providing screening and testing in line with California public health guidelines, which prioritize those with symptoms, recent exposure, first responders and other essential workers.

AltaMed's screening is open to the public after a telephone consultation available at (888) 499-9303.

We expect to be able to share updates on more testing sites in Anaheim in coming days.

As testing expands, we would expect it to cover more people as a measurement tool amid a gradual, cautious reopening of the economy.

You can find a list of by-appointment, no-cost testing sites in Orange County here.

Find a map of California's testing sites here.

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

Rest assured, nobody in Anaheim should go hungry because they can't afford to buy food for their family. The city and our nonprofit partners are here to help.

You can find a list of food distribution events throughout our city here.