Cases rise, other metrics decline

Except for a small rise in the number of new confirmed cases, statistics on the state of the coronavirus pandemic in Orange County continued to show improvement on Monday.

According to the county health care agency, cases rose to 46 from 33. But deaths dropped from three on Sunday to zero on Monday and hospitalizations due to the virus declined from 84 to 80. Those being treated for COVID-19 in intensive care units went from 21 to 20.

To-date, cases in Orange County have totaled 254,357, of which 247,324 have been judged recovered. Deaths are at 5,006.

At the national level, The New York Times is estimating that new cases have declined 30 percent over a two-week period. Deaths have declined 6 percent.

In California, the Los Angeles Times is estimating that while new cases are up 4 percent, deaths have dropped 9 percent in the state.