THE VACCINES and people following health protocols could be contributing to a steep decline in new coronavirus cases in Orange County this week (Flickr/EpicTop10.com).

The tally of new coronavirus cases in Orange County took another encouraging plunge in Wednesday’s report.

According to the county health agency, the number of confirmed new cases of COVID-19 infections dropped from 560 on Tuesday to 454 today. Monday’s total was 942.

Deaths rose from 33 to 35, but hospitalizations dropped from 1,058 to 1,009. Patients being treated in intensive care fell from 324 to 310.

The to-date total of coronavirus cases in Orange County are now at 240,220, of which 206,950 are considered recovered. Deaths are at 3,451.

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

• Santa Ana: 43,171 (605)
• Anaheim: 40,221 (632)
• Garden Grove: 15,649 (266)
• Orange: 11,308 (174)
• Fullerton: 10,716 (226)
• Huntington Beach: 9,879 (163).

Westminster has had 6,693 cases and 135 deaths. Stanton has had 3,014 cases and 44 deaths.