THREE of four categories tracking the status of the coronavirus in Orange County showed increases on Friday (Shutterstock).

To our readers: Starting next week, the Orange County Health Care Agency will begin releasing statistics on new coronavirus cases, deaths, hospitalizations and ICU use on Tuesdays and Fridays. The Tribune will publish results on that schedule.

Three of four categories of coronavirus statistics for Orange County showed increases in the report issued on Friday.

According to the county health care agency, confirmed new cases rose to 179 from 142 on Thursday. Hospitalizations went from 78 to 84 and the use of intensive care units to treat COVID-19 patients increased from 16 to 20.

However, deaths declined from nine to eight.

In context, despite the increases, Friday’s numbers show major decreases from – for example – two months ago.

On Feb. 10, confirmed new cases were at 1,242 and deaths at 43. Hospitalizations hit 581 and ICU use was at 118.

To date, Orange County has had 548,114 cases, of which 537,896 are considered recovered. The total of deaths is at 6,927.

Across the nation, The New York Times is reporting that new cases – over a 14-day period – are down 3 percent and deaths by 32 percent.  In California, new cases have dropped 31 percent and deaths by 43 percent, according to Los Angeles Times.