COVID-19’s impact still fading

ORANGE COUNTY statistics for coronavirus on Wednesday showed decreases in new cases, deaths, hospitalizations and ICU use (Shutterstock).

Three of four metrics used to measure the impact of the coronavirus on Orange County pointed in a good direction – downward – in Wednesday’s report.

The county health care agency reported that confirmed new cases were at 26, down from 31 on Tuesday. Deaths dipped from five to two. Hospitalizations declined from 54 to 50 and the number of patients being treated for COVID-19 in intensive care units went from eight to seven.

To date, there have been 255,530 cases in Orange County, of which 249,455 are judged recovered. Deaths are at 5,090.

Across the nation, The New York Times reports that new cases are down 42 percent, and deaths down 20 percent, based on a 14-day average. The NYT also calculates that – among those Americans 18 and over – 53 percent have been fully vaccinated, and 64 percent have received at least one dose.

In California, the Los Angeles Times says new cases are down 16 percent and deaths down by 2 percent.  Fully-vaccinated residents are at 45.9 percent and those with at least one done are at 55.7 percent.