OCALA, Fla.—The number of individuals vaccinated for COVID-19 in Marion County continues to increase. As of Feb. 24, 48,434 Marion residents have been vaccinated for COVID-19 across all vaccine providers (hospitals, health department, long-term care facilities, etc.) A total of 76,348 doses have been administered to residents (includes first and second doses).

In its vaccination efforts, the Department of Health in Marion County has contacted for an appointment 32,000 from its original list of 50,000 pre-registrants. DOH-Marion schedulers are able to make approximately 3,000 first dose appointments per week.

How to register for COVID-19 appointments

Eligible Marion County residents continue to have several ways to register for a future COVID-19 appointment in the community. The below opens groups of appointments periodically; appointments are only available at select locations. Sign-ups are only available online.

- www.publix.com/covid-vaccine 

- www.walmart.com/COVIDvaccine 

- www.samsclub.com/covid 

- www.winndixie.com/pharmacy/covid-vaccine

Residents also have the option of pre-registering online or via telephone for a COVID-19 vaccination through the state of Florida’s MyVaccine.FL.Gov system. Through signing up in the system, residents are placed in a queue to be proactively contacted once vaccine is available at state-supported vaccination sites.

To pre-register for vaccine in Marion County through the state site, visit https://myvaccine.fl.gov  or call the MyVaccine.FL.Gov Marion County phone number: 866-201-6768, (TTY #: 833-476-1519). For questions on registering via MyVaccine.FL.Gov, residents can call 833-540-2070.

Residents who pre-registered with DOH-Marion during its COVID-19 vaccine signups Dec. 28 – Jan. 4 do not need to sign up for vaccine through the new state site. DOH-Marion will continue to contact and schedule these individuals for vaccinations through that sign-up list. Once this effort is complete, the department will begin contacting individuals who registered for a vaccination via the new state system vaccination queue.

Marion COVID-19 case update

Marion County is reporting 27,301 cumulative cases of COVID-19 as of this afternoon. This is an increase of 121 cases from Feb. 23. Of Marion COVID-19 cases from Feb. 23, 8.4% tested positive. The daily positivity rate for all new COVID-19 cases in Florida on Feb. 23 was 6%.

From COVID-19 cases reported over the past seven days (cases reported Feb. 18 to 24), Marion saw an average of:

• 97.9 new cases reported per day
• 8.6% daily positivity rate
• 11.14 COVID-19 related deaths reported per day

From COVID-19 cases reported Feb. 1 to 24, Marion saw an average of:

• 116.3 new cases reported per day
• 9.13% daily positivity rate
• 7.9 COVID-19 related deaths reported per day

In comparison, from cases reported Jan. 1 to 31, Marion saw an average of:

• 216.5 new cases reported per day
• 13.53% daily positivity rate
• 4 COVID-19 related deaths reported per day

COVID-19 testing at Southeastern Livestock Pavilion update

Starting Monday, March 8, free COVID-19 testing will be provided at the Southeastern Livestock Pavilion (2232 NE Jacksonville Road, Ocala) twice a week. Testing will be offered from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. on the below dates or until the day’s available samples are all used, whichever comes first. Upcoming testing dates are:

• March 8, 10, 15, 17, 22, 24, 29 and 31
• April 5, 7, 12, 14, 19, 21, 26 and 28

Testing will not be available at the Southeastern Livestock Pavilion on March 1 and 3 as previously planned due to a scheduling conflict.

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. Only people who are being tested should be in the vehicle, with the exception of parents, guardians or caregivers.

No pets are permitted in the vehicle during tests. School students should refrain from eating or drinking anything 15 to 30 minutes prior to their tests. People should be prepared to stay in their vehicles while awaiting testing; restroom facilities will not be available.

COVID-19 testing is now widely available to the public. For information on locations where you may be able to be tested, visit www.tinyurl.com/3ts7cy6r.   

Find out more

For the latest on COVID-19 in Marion County, visit https://marion.floridahealth.gov/programs-and-services/infectious-disease-services/COVID-19,www.twitter.com/flhealthmarion,www.floridahealthcovid19.gov and www.marionflcovid.org.