The number of COVID-positive patients in Los Angeles County hospitals dropped by more than 200 people—falling from 3,233to 3,012—continuing the downward trend of the last couple weeks, according to the latest state figures out today.

Of those patients, 616 were in intensive care, down from 652 on Friday. Some patients entered hospitals for other reasons and only discovered they had COVID after a hospital-mandated test.

The latest numbers came as local health officials reported another 84 deaths associated with the coronavirus and 9,997 new positive COVID-19 tests, bringing the county’s totals to 2,720,216 cases and 29,364 deaths since the pandemic began.

Saturday’s case numbers may reflect a lag in weekend reporting.

Public Health Director Barbara Ferrer said Friday that if the county wants to end the winter surge of COVID infections, “we’ll need to continue the common-sense protective measures that we know can slow COVID-19 transmission.”

“These include wearing a mask when around others until transmission is lower; testing, if possible, before gathering with others, especially if you’re gathering with people at high risk, including unvaccinated, or indoors or in a crowded outdoor place where masks are not always worn, and after being exposed to a positive case; staying home and away from others if you are sick or test positive; and getting vaccinated and boosted if you’re not already up to date,” she said.

Her comments came at the end of a week that saw questions raised about the effectiveness of the county’s mask-wearing mandate, prompted by photos of football fans at SoFi Stadium largely ignoring the requirement.

County Supervisor Kathryn Barger said the lax adherence to the mandate should lead to a reevaluation of whether it should remain in effect. But Board of Supervisors Chair Holly Mitchell said the rule will stay in place until transmission rates fall to a safer level.