THE COUNT of confirmed new coronavirus counts in Orange County decreased in Tuesday’s report (Shutterstock).

The count of new coronavirus cases in Orange County dropped sharply in Tuesday’s report, but don’t celebrate yet.

According to the county health care agency, new cases fell from Monday’s three-day average of 948.3 to 309 today, but the OCHCA cautions that the count “may be lower than expected” due to problems with the state coronavirus reporting system.

Deaths increased from Monday’s three-day average of 9.3 cases to 25 on Tuesday. Hospitalizations ticked down from 620 to 619 and the number of patients being treated for COVID-19 rose slightly to 125 from 123.

To date, Orange County has recorded 527,330 cases, of which 447,090 are considered recovered. The death toll is at 6,205.

Nationally, The New York Times is reporting that new cases – over a 14-day period – are down 62 percent while deaths have risen 25 percent.   In California, new cases have declined 71 percent while deaths have risen 55 percent, reports Los Angeles Times.