CORONAVIRUS numbers in Orange County in this week’s report showed decreases in new cases increases in reported deaths (Shutterstock).

Confirmed new cases of coronavirus declined in the latest report from the Orange County Health Care Authority, but deaths rose.

The OCHCA numbers – current through Thursday – showed 1,328 new cases, down from 1,495 last week. The tally from two weeks ago was 1,598.

However, deaths rose sharply from nine to 29.

Hospitalizations slipped from 133 to 125 and the number of patients being treated for COVID-19 in intensive care units increased from 14 to 21.

To date, the number of coronavirus cases is 670,606 out of a county population of 3.2 million. Total deaths are at 7,488.