NEW CONFIRMED corona cases and deaths in Orange County are up from the day before, but down over a four-week period (Shutterstock).

After a sharp decline on Thursday, the number of confirmed new cases of coronavirus rose on Friday, according to the Orange County Health Care Agency. However, over a four-week period, cases have declined sharply.

The count increased from 211 to 260, and deaths climbed from nine to 12. Hospitalizations edged upwards from 220 to 223. However, the number of patients being treated for COVID-19 in intensive care units declined from 54 to 47.

Taking a longer view on OC new cases and death numbers:

• New cases on Sept. 17 were 394 and deaths seven
• New cases on Sept. 24 were 356 and deaths 13
• New cases on Oct. 1 were 270 and deaths four
• New cases on Oct. 8 are 260 and deaths 12.

To date, Orange County has had 299,594 cases of which 286,851 are considered recovered. Deaths are at 5,475.

At the national level, The New York Times is reporting that new cases (over a 14-day period) are down 22 percent, and deaths by 13 percent.

In California, Los Angeles Times reports that (over a similar period) new cases have declined 26 percent. Deaths are down 6 percent.

Note to our readers: OCHCA will not report numbers on Monday; Tuesday’s totals will be for four days.