The Delta variant continues to spike the number of COVID-19 cases in Orange County, Calif. According to data released by the Orange County Health Care Agency, there were 1,996 new positive cases received Aug. 2, which includes cases from during the weekend, bringing the total number of positive cases to 266,167. Two additional COVID-19-related deaths were reported, bringing the cumulative death count in the county to 5,143. There were 322 people hospitalized with the virus Aug. 2, up from 252 July 30. There were 68 people being treated in intensive care units, a jump from 59 on July 30. There have not been this many people hospitalized with COVID-19 since March 5. Andrew Noymer, a University of California–Irvine professor of population health and disease prevention, said the increase in hospitalizations is worrisome. “We’re seeing daily increases in cases and hospitalizations, and that’s concerning,” Noymer told City News Service. “Last summer’s peak was in the 600s, but we’re rocketing up now. …