MASKS, sanitizers and social distancing are weapons in the battle against the coronavirus (Shutterstock).

The pattern of statistics marking the state of the coronavirus pandemic in Orange County continues up-and-down, but remains among the lowest since the crisis took hold.

According to the county health care agency, the number of confirmed new cases is 69 for Sunday. That’s down from 85 on Saturday, but a small increase from 65 on Friday.

Deaths rose to nine on Sunday, up from six on Saturday. Hospitalizations from coronavirus edged downward to 113 on Sunday from Saturday’s 114. Patients hospitalized for COVID-19 in intensive care units increased from 22 to 25.

Nationally, The New York Times is reporting that – over a 14-day period – new cases dropped 12 percent, and deaths declined one percent. The Times also estimates that 29 percent of all American adults are fully vaccinated and that 42 percent have received at least one dose.