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Marion County COVID-19 positivity rate remains under 3%

By Florida Department of Health in Marion County

November 30, 2021

 

Ocala, Fla. — Marion County’s COVID-19 positivity rate continued below 3% for a third consecutive week, according to the state’s most recent report.

Marion County reported 57,299 cumulative cases as of Nov. 25, with an increase of 145 new cases from the previous week. Between Nov. 19 and Nov. 25, 2.9% of Marion County’s COVID-19 cases tested positive. That was up slightly from 2.6% the week prior.

The daily positivity rate for all new COVID-19 cases throughout Florida was 2.4%.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention now rates Marion County’s community transmission rate as “low.”

The new state report also indicates 1,249 people in Marion County received vaccines between Nov. 19 and Nov. 25. That was an increase of 51 vaccines from the previous week, and it was the third consecutive week that the total number of vaccines increased over the previous week.

The CDC encourages parents to obtain vaccines for children ages 5 through 11 to avoid serious illness from COVID-19.

The CDC also recently changed its guidelines for adult vaccines.

The agency now recommends boosters for anyone 50 or older, and for those 18 or older and residing in a long-term care setting, provided they completed their initial vaccine series at least six months ago. Previously, the CDC had recommended that for those 65 or over, or those in certain population groups that were at higher risk.

“We are highly encouraged by what we are seeing across the community in terms of new infections and vaccines,” said Department of Health in Marion County Administrator Mark Lander.

“Our status as a low transmission community indicates our residents are taking appropriate protective measures, especially in getting vaccinated, which remains the most effective way to avoid serious illness and hospitalization. We urge the community to continue these practices throughout the holidays, as opportunities for crowded gatherings increase.”

Marion’s number of new cases also remained low, according to the new report.

From COVID-19 cases reported between Nov. 19-25, Marion saw:

  • An average of 17.7 new cases per day
  • 2.9% positivity rate.
  • A total of 1,249 people vaccinated

For the week of Nov. 12-18, Marion saw:

  • An average of 18.4 new cases per day
  • 2.6% positivity rate
  • A total of 1,198 people vaccinated

 For the week of Nov. 5-11, Marion saw:

  • An average of 18.3 new cases per day
  • 2.6% positivity rate.
  • A total of 1,034 people vaccinated

For the week of Oct. 29-Nov. 4, Marion saw:

  • An average of 21.6 new cases per day
  • 3.3% positivity rate.
  • A total of 712 people vaccinated

For the week of Oct. 22-28, Marion saw:

  • An average of 33 new cases per day
  • 4.4% positivity rate
  • A total of 808 people vaccinated

For the week of Oct. 15-21, Marion saw:

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

COVID-19 vaccine information

Anyone age 5 or older can now receive a COVID-19 vaccine at the Florida Department of Health in Marion County.

The department provides vaccinations by appointment, Monday through Friday, from 8:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. at its main office, 1801 SE 32nd Ave., Ocala.

Parents, guardians, or caregivers who are interested in obtaining a vaccination for their children, or adults seeking a new vaccine or a booster, can make an appointment by visiting tinyurl.com/MakeMarionFLVaxAppt.

The vaccines are available for free. 

The department encourages those with questions about vaccines to consult with their health care provider.

For the 5-11 age group, the department is making available doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine. The Food and Drug Administration has not yet approved other manufacturers’ vaccines for children.

According to the CDC, the Pfizer vaccine for children under 12 has the same active ingredients as the vaccine given to adults and adolescents, but the dose is only one-third the amount in the adult vaccine. The vaccine also is administered with smaller needles designed specifically for children.

The Pfizer vaccine also is available to children ages 12 to 17, while those made by Moderna and Johnson & Johnson are available for people 18 and older. All three vaccines are available at the Department of Health in Marion County. People can also receive vaccines from other providers throughout Marion County, including many pharmacies, doctor’s offices, clinics and health centers. Visit floridahealthcovid19.gov/vaccines/vaccine-locator 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.

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.

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.

 

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