OCALA, Fla.—Marion County’s COVID-19 positivity rate remained below 5% for a second consecutive week, according to the most recent state report.

Marion County is reporting 56,776 cumulative cases as of Oct. 28, with an increase of 230 new cases from the previous week. Of Marion County COVID-19 cases between Oct. 22 and Oct. 28, 4.4% tested positive. That was down from 4.9% last week. The daily positivity rate for all new COVID-19 cases throughout Florida was 3.0%.

The last time the state reported a positivity rate this low for Marion County was on June 25, when the rate was 3.4%. That was also the last time Marion County reported two consecutive weeks below 5%.

“We are encouraged by this continuing trend,” said Department of Health in Marion County Administrator Mark Lander.

“This report shows members of our community are taking appropriate steps to protect themselves. We’d like to see that continue as well, and for people who are not vaccinated to please consider a vaccine to help keep COVID in check as much as possible.”

The state’s new report indicates 808 people in Marion County received vaccines between Oct. 22 and Oct. 28. That was an increase of 134 vaccines from the previous week.

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

From COVID-19 cases reported over the past seven days (Oct. 22-28), Marion saw:

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

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

COVID-19 testing times set to change

Effective Nov. 1, the hours available for COVID-19 testing at the First Baptist Church of Ocala will change.

CovidTestFL.Org, a COVID-19 mobile clinical testing service, will offer 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. 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.

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.