Ocala, Fla.—Marion County’s number of new COVID-19 cases and new positivity rate both reached record highs last week, according to the most recent state report, released Friday.
Marion County reported 5,536 new cases for the week of Jan 7 to Jan. 13. That amount increased the county’s cumulative total of COVID-19 cases to 68,316. The positivity rate for the past week climbed to 31.3%. That was up from 24.6% for the previous week.
Those numbers repreent new weekly peaks for cases and the positivity rate since the onset of the pandemic.
Overall, the daily positivity rate for all new COVID-19 cases throughout Florida was 29.3%.
The state’s new report indicates 990 people in Marion County received vaccines between Jan. 7 and Jan. 13. That was a decrease of 52 vaccines from the previous week. The ratio of Marion County residents aged 5 or older who have been vaccinated remained at 62% during the latest reporting period.
“The increase we have seen this week is an indicator of how transmissible the virus is within our community,” said Department of Health in Marion County Administrator Mark Lander. “We encourage residents to consider a COVID vaccine if they have not received one, or a booster if they are eligible for that. Vaccines continue to be the most effective way to prevent serious illness or hospitalization from COVID-19 for people aged 5 or older.”
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention kept Marion County’s community transmission rate as “high,” defined as having more than 100 new cases per 100,000 people over the seven-day reporting period and having a positivity rate of 10% or higher.
The state’s new report also indicates that Marion County has reported its highest daily average of new cases since the start of the pandemic.
From COVID-19 cases reported during the week of Jan. 7 to Jan. 13, Marion County saw:
- An average of 790.9 new cases per day
- 3% positivity rate.
- A total of 990 people vaccinated
For the week of Dec. 31 to Jan. 6, Marion County saw:
- An average of 447.1 new cases per day
- 6% positivity rate.
- A total of 1,042 people vaccinated
COVID-19 vaccine availability
COVID-19 vaccines for anyone 5 or older are available at the Florida Department of Health in Marion County.
To make a vaccination appointment, go to tinyurl.com/MakeMarionFLVaxAppt. The vaccine is available for free.
The department provides vaccinations from 8:30–11 a.m. and 1–4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, at its main office, 1801 SE 32nd Ave., Ocala.
The department encourages those with questions about vaccines, whether for themselves or their children, to consult with their health care provider.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved only the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine for all age groups. People 18 and older may choose from the Pfizer, Moderna, or Johnson & Johnson vaccines.
According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Pfizer vaccine for children under 12 has the same active ingredients as the vaccine given to adults and adolescents, but the dose for 5- to 11-year-olds is only one-third the amount in the adult vaccine. The vaccine also is administered with smaller needles designed specifically for children.
Besides the Department of Health in Marion County, vaccines can be obtained throughout the county at many pharmacies, doctor’s offices, clinics and health centers.
Visit floridahealthcovid19.gov to learn more about vaccine locations.
COVID-19 testing continues locally
COVID-19 testing remains available at the First Baptist Church of Ocala.
CovidTestFL.Org, a COVID-19 mobile clinical testing service, provides free drive-through testing at the church, 2801 SE Maricamp Road, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday.
Call CovidTestFL.Org at 866-826-8430 for additional details about testing.
CovidTestFL.Org offers a diagnostic PCR COVID-19 test that provides results within three days via a text message or an email containing a link to results on a web portal. Expedited test results are available for an additional fee.
People who seek to be tested must enter the church parking lot entrance on SE 30th Ave. To be tested, individuals should bring a valid photo ID; minors under age 18 will only be tested if they are accompanied by a parent or legal guardian. People should be prepared to stay in their vehicles while awaiting testing.
Additionally, testing can be done at private labs, physicians’ offices, pharmacies and walk-in clinics throughout Marion County.
COVID-19 treatment
Monoclonal antibody therapy is currently available in Florida. Monoclonal antibody treatments can prevent severe illness, hospitalization and death in high-risk patients who have contracted or been exposed to COVID-19.
Anyone 12 and older who is considered at high risk for severe illness due to COVID-19 is eligible for this treatment.
In addition to monoclonal antibody treatment, Florida has rolled out the newest therapeutics, AstraZeneca’s Evusheld, Pfizer’s Paxlovid and Merck’s molnupiravir, which can be administered with a physician’s prescription.
For more information about monoclonal antibody treatment and other therapeutics, including locations where it is administered, visit floridahealthcovid19.gov and click the “Treatment Locator” tab at the top of the page.
For more information, call the Department of Health in Marion County at 352-644-2590.
Find out more
Visit marion.floridahealth.gov, marionflcovid.org and twitter.com/flhealthmarion for the latest information on COVID-19 and vaccinations. Visit floridahealthcovid19.gov and use the Vaccine Locator and Testing Sites tools to find vaccination and testing sites near you.
Contact:
Bill Thompson, Public Information Officer
Mobile: 352-843-9471
Desk: 352-644-2664
