Anaheim on April 24 continued on the trend of smaller daily increases in cases that we've seen this week with 247 cases.

This is out of 1,845 cases in Orange County.

We have seen and still may continue to see daily fluctuations in case counts, with milder increases some days and larger ones other days.

With this variation in daily case counts reported, a more telling indicator is the number of total cases we see in Anaheim each week.

For the seven days through April 19, Anaheim saw 56 new cases, down from 67 the week before. We've continued to monitor case trends this week starting on Monday, April 20.

We want to keep seeing the number of new cases decline on a weekly basis. 

Of course, any given week can defy that trend based on a number of variables. But our goal and hope is to see a gradual decline from what we believe is now the peak of the outbreak, rather than new peaks each week. 

Anaheim's 247 cases make up 13 percent of the county's total reported cases, a percentage unchanged for the past several days.

Thirteen percent is two percentage points above our 11 percent share of Orange County's population.

Among cities, Anaheim has the most cases at 247, followed by Santa Ana at 211, Huntington Beach at 162 and Irvine at 120.

Anaheim and the other three cities are the largest in Orange County by population, and the number of cases for each is what we would expect to see.

We need everyone to continue doing what needs to be done.

• With summer-like weather with us through the weekend, 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 April 24, the Orange County Health Care Agency, the lead agency for coronavirus in our region, is tracking 1,845 cases.

Orange County has seen 36 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 22,083 tests as of April 24.

The 1,845 cases represent an 8 percent positive rate, unchanged for the past several days.

That means 92 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 lower than that of Los Angeles County, California as a whole, our nation and hard-hit New York state.

Of the county's 1,845 cases, 150 patients are hospitalized, or 8 percent. Sixty-three of those are in intensive-care units, or 42 percent.

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

As we address coronavirus, skilled nursing facilities are a major concern for Anaheim as they house some our most vulnerable residents.

While challenging, the situation at skilled nursing facilities in Anaheim is stable.

Anaheim's emergency operations center checks on skilled nursing facilities daily.

The daily checks aim to ensure providers have proper supplies and to make us aware of any issues, including infections.

We are working with the California Department of Public Health and OC Health Care Agency, which have oversight of facilities in our city.

The emergency medical services division of Anaheim Fire & Rescue -- our fire, emergency and medical first responders -- continues to monitor all skilled nursing facilities in our city, which number about 30.

California has started sharing case information at skilled nursing and assisted living facilities across the state.

The California Department of Public Health reports 2,229 cases of Covid-19 among staff and patients at facilities statewide.

While data is always welcome, there are limitations to the state's reporting we want you to be aware of:

• Cases can be over counted or under counted at any given facility.
• Some facilities may be listed as simply having "less than 11 cases" among patients, residents or staff. That could be one past case or 10 current cases.

Anaheim Healthcare Center, a 215-bed facility on Beach Boulevard, is listed as having 31 patient cases and less than 11 staff cases.

Sadly, there have been four deaths at the facility. All were of advanced age with prior medical conditions, and our hearts to go to their families and friends.

We are assisting the Orange County Health Care Agency and California Department of Public Health in monitoring the facility.

We are in daily contact with Anaheim Healthcare Center, including with site visits.

We have relocation and medical transport plans in place should they be needed.

Right now, the situation onsite is stable, with infected cases being treated and cared for in an isolation wing.

Anaheim Healthcare Center has about 200 patients who are recovering from recent hospital stays or coping with memory disorders such as Alzheimer's disease.

The other facility in Anaheim listed as having cases is Leisure Court Nursing Center, on La Palma Avenue near West Street.

The facility reports less than 11 staff cases and no patient cases.

Independent of state data, we are aware of one patient case at Coventry Court Health Center on Euclid Street near Katella Avenue.

The patient was transported for care and is no longer at the facility. We are unaware of any other issues at Coventry Court.

It is possible we see additional cases at skilled nursing facilities. We will continue to monitor and work with these facilities.

The Orange County Board of Supervisors passed a directive on Tuesday, April 21 requiring all workers at essential jobs, such as grocery stores or restaurants, to wear mask or face covering while at work.

The order went into effect today, April 24.

In addition, the city of Anaheim joins the Orange County Health Care Agency in strongly recommending masks or face coverings for anyone going on essential trips outside your home.

This guidance is in line with recommendations from California and the federal Centers for Disease Control.

Anaheim has been urging everyone to wear masks and face coverings and to understand the role they can play in stopping the spread of coronavirus.

Residents should wear masks or face coverings when going to the grocery store, pharmacy, doctors office, picking up food or other essential outings.

They can be worn or carried on recreational walks and used as needed if you come into contact with others.

Masks and face covers are just one part of our larger effort to prevent the spread of coronavirus, along with physical distancing and sanitizing.

Read more at Anaheim.net/coronavirus.

Our senior community has been one of the hardest hit by the coronavirus outbreak, since they're the most at risk for complications from the virus.

We're here to help, offering a number of resources for our seniors.

Those over 60 who are in need of food can pick up frozen meals at Brookhurst Community Center and Downtown Anaheim Community Center on Thursdays from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and at East Anaheim Community Center on Tuesdays from  11 a.m. to 1 p.m. 

Delivery is also available. Please call us at (714) 765-4511 for more information.

If you know a senior in need, please call us. We're doing welfare checks on many in our community by phone.

In addition, the state announced today a phone line for seniors who may be lonely and need someone to talk to. They can call (888) 670-1360.

More at Anaheim.net/coronavirus. 

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.