OCALA, Fla.—The COVID-19 positivity rate in Marion County dropped below 5% for the first time since late June, according to the most recent state report.

Marion County is reporting 56,558 cumulative cases of COVID-19 as of Oct. 21. This is an increase of 252 cases from the previous week. Of Marion COVID-19 cases from Oct. 15–21, 4.9% tested positive. The daily positivity rate for all new COVID-19 cases in Florida was 3.4%.

The last time the state reported a positivity rate for Marion County below 5% was on June 25, when the rate was 3.4%.

“We are pleased with this report and grateful to the community for taking appropriate precautions to reduce our positivity rate to its lowest level in nearly four months,” said Department of Health in Marion County Administrator Mark Lander.

“But now is not the time to let up. We encourage county residents to continue working to reduce this rate even further.” 

Marion’s number of new cases also continued to decline.

From COVID-19 cases reported over the past seven days (Oct. 15-21), Marion saw:

• An average of 36 new cases per day
• 4.9% positivity rate.
• A total of 674 people vaccinated

From COVID-19 cases reported over the previous seven days (cases reported Oct. 8–14), Marion saw:

• An average of 43.1 new cases per day
• 5.6% positivity rate.
• A total of 736 people vaccinated

From COVID-19 cases reported over the previous seven days (cases reported Oct. 1–7), Marion saw:

• An average of 61 new cases per day
• 6.9% positivity rate
• A total of 928 people vaccinated

From COVID-19 cases reported Sept. 24–30, Marion saw:

• An average of 87.7 new cases per day
• 9.1% positivity rate.
• A total of 825 people vaccinated

From COVID-19 cases reported Sept. 18–23), Marion saw:

• An average of 148.3 new cases per day
• 13.3% positivity rate.
• A total of 1,106 people vaccinated

Testing opportunities

CovidTestFL.Org, a COVID-19 mobile clinical testing service, continues to provide extended-hours testing opportunities in Marion County.

Call CovidTestFL.Org at 866-826-8430 for details.

CovidTestFL.Org offers free drive-through testing at First Baptist Church of Ocala, 2801 SE Maricamp Road. Testing is available 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday and 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday.

CovidTestFL.Org offers a diagnostic PCR COVID-19 test that provides results within three days via a text message or email containing a link to results on a web portal. Expedited test results are available for a 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. 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.

Additionally, testing can be done at private labs, physicians’ offices, pharmacies and walk-in clinics throughout Marion County.  

Vaccine opportunities

The department provides walk-in COVID-19 vaccinations Monday through Friday from 8 to 11 a.m. and 1 to 3 p.m. at its main office, 1801 SE 32nd Ave., Ocala. Appointments are also available at the main office Monday through Friday. To make a vaccination appointment go to tinyurl.com/MakeMarionFLVaxAppt.

For more information, call the Department of Health in Marion County at 352-644-2590.

Find out more

Visit marion.floridahealth.gov, www.marionflcovid.org and www.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.