COVID cases, deaths decline

After two days of increases in new coronavirus cases and deaths in Orange County, the latest tally from the county health care agency indicates a break in the pattern.

Monday’s three-total from the OCHCA shows a total of 856 new cases, which breaks down to an average of 285.3 per day. That compares to Friday’s total of 521.

Deaths – also a three-day sum – was 38, which averages to 12.66 per day. Friday’s number was 19.

Hospitalizations are down to 139 from 163, but the number of COVID-19 patients being treated in intensive care units rose from 28 to 31.

To date, Orange County has experienced 543,432 cases, of which 530,536 are considered recovered. The death total is 6,778.

Nationally, The New York Times reports that – over a 14-day period – new cases are down 48 percent and deaths have declined by 31 percent. In California, new cases are down 66 percent and deaths by 8 percent.