STATS on coronavirus in Orange County move up and down, but remain low (Pexels/Cottonbor).

The up-and-down nature of daily tallies of coronavirus statistics for Orange County continued in Friday’s report from the county health care agency.

According to the OCHCA, the number of confirmed new cases dropped from 40 on Thursday to 18 on Friday. Deaths rose from two to three and hospitalizations increased from 53 to 56.

Patients being treated for COVID-19 in intensive care units remained at 14.

To date, OC coronavirus cases now total 255,588, of which 249,562 have been judged recovered. Deaths are at 5,095.

Nationally, The New York Times is estimating that new cases are down 42 percent over a 14-day period, and deaths have declined 22 percent. In California, new cases are down 41 percent and deaths by 39 percent, according to the Los Angeles Times.