CORONAVIRUS numbers in Orange County in this week’s report showed an decrease in new cases but an increase in deaths (Shutterstock).

The number of confirmed new coronavirus cases in Orange County has declined for the third consecutive week, but deaths and hospitalizations tied to COVID increased this week.

According to the Orange County Health Care Agency, for the week concluding Jan. 4, there were 3,195 new cases. That compares to 3,269 the week before and 4,449 on Dec. 8

The use of intensive care units to treat coronavirus cases declined from 47 to 30. But deaths increased from 24 to 32 and hospitalizations rose from 329 to 352.

To date, Orange County has had 700,624 confirmed cases and 7,706 deaths.