ORANGE COUNTY Health Care Agency stats on coronavirus show generally good news (Shutterstock).

New cases of coronavirus in Orange County have declined for the fourth consecutive week, according to the latest report from the county health agency.

The number of confirmed new cases for the week of Jan. 5 to 11 was 2,246, down from 3,195 last week, and from 4,449 on Dec. 8.  Deaths, however, are up from 32 last week to 36 this week. A month ago, the tally was 17.

Hospitalizations declined to 278 from 352 last week. A month ago, the number was 377.  The use of intensive care units to treat COVID-19 patients in intensive care rose to 34 this week from 32 last week. A month ago, the number was 49.

To date, Orange County has had 702,870 confirmed reported cases and 7,742 deaths.