HAND-WASHING, mask-wearing and social distancing are still weapons against the spread of coronavirus, along with vaccination, say health officials (Pexels/Cottonbro).

Confirmed new cases of coronavirus in Orange County rose for the third consecutive day on Friday.

According to the county health care agency, the latest daily tally shows 356 cases, compared to 314 on Thursday, 228 on Wednesday and 222 on Tuesday.

Deaths declined from 13 to seven, but hospitalizations increased from 169 on Thursday to 176. The use of intensive care units to treat patients of COVID-19 rose slightly from 55 to 56.

To date, Orange County has had 313,773 cases, of which 302,211 are considered recovered. The death toll is at 5,756.

Nationally, The New York Times reports that – over 14-day period – new cases are up 4 percent and deaths are down 7 percent. In California, new cases are up 3 percent and deaths down by 4 percent over a similar period, according to Los Angeles Times.