NEW CORONAVIRUS cases in Orange County are down but deaths are up in the latest report from the county health care agency (Shutterstock).

Reflecting national and statewide statistics, new coronavirus cases continue to fall in Orange County while deaths increase.

According to the county health care agency, new cases reported on Tuesday totaled 2,864. That is compared to the three-day average of 6,309 on Monday and Friday’s peak of 11,020.

However, deaths hit 10, compared to the three-day average of five (15 total) reported on Monday.

Hospitalizations declined to 1,114 from 1,162 the day before. The use of intensive care units to treat COVID-19 patients declined to 191 from 195.

Nationally, cases have fallen by 9 percent – over a 14-day period – according to The New York Times, but deaths are up 25 percent. In California, new cases are down 16 percent while deaths have risen 17 percent, reports Los Angeles Times.

So far, Orange County has had 498,918 cases, of which 342,091 are considered recovered. The total of deaths is at 5,978.