CONFIRMED new corona cases in Orange County declined in Monday’s report from the county health agency (Shutterstock).

After several days of increases in the count of coronavirus statistics in Orange County, Monday’s report brought some encouraging news.

According to the county health care agency, Monday’s three-day total of new cases was 1,066, which averages out to 355.3 cases a day. That’s down from Friday’s 453.

Deaths – also a three-day total – were at 31, for a daily average of 10.3. Friday’s daily count was 15.

Hospitalizations declined to 179 from 202, but the use of intensive care units to treat COVID-19 patients rose from 33 to 37.

So far, Orange County has recorded 541,182 cases, of which 525,308 are considered recovered. The death total is 6,689.

Nationwide, The New York Times is reporting that – over a 14-day period – new cases are down 57 percent and deaths by 31 percent.

In California, Los Angeles Times is calculating that new cases are down 45 percent, but deaths are up 36 percent.