THE NUMBER of new coronavirus cases in Orange County has fallen by almost three-quarters since a month ago (Shutterstock).

Orange County is still considered to be an area with an “extremely high risk level” for coronavirus, but Monday’s report from the county health agency suggests that there’s light at the end of the tunnel.

The latest data from the Orange County Health Agency shows drops in three of four major metrics for measuring the COVID-19 locally.  New cases dropped to 1,003 from 1,355 the day before.  By contrast, one month ago, new cases numbered 4,406.

Hospitalizations from the virus declined to 1,362 from 1,412 on Sunday. The use of intensive care units fell from 392 on Sunday to 384 on Monday.

However, deaths rose from 44 on Sunday to 47 on Monday. The test positivity rate was at a still-high 15 percent.

To date, the number of confirmed cases of coronavirus is at 233,394. Of that number, 179,803 are considered recovered. Deaths are at 3,109.

Here is the list of OC cities with the most cases. Deaths are in parentheses.

• Santa Ana: 42,197 (545)
• Anaheim: 38,973 (583)
• Garden Grove: 15,149 (233)
• Orange: 10,982 (156)
• Fullerton: 10,420 (205)
• Huntington Beach: 9,537 (151å)

Westminster has had 6,465 cases and 124 deaths. Stanton has had 2,913 cases and 40 deaths.