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Marion County reports a new COVID-19 positivity rate of 3%

By Florida Department of Health in Marion County

December 03, 2021

 

Ocala, Fla. — Marion County’s COVID-19 positivity rate has inched up to 3%, according to the state’s most recent report.

Marion County reported 165 new cases for the week ending Dec. 2, increasing the community’s cumulative total of COVID-19 infections to 57,460. The 3% positivity rate reported between Nov. 26 and Dec. 2 was up slightly from 2.9% the previous week.

The positivity rate for all new COVID-19 cases throughout Florida during that time was 2.5%.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Friday graded Marion County’s community transmission rate as “moderate.”

The state’s new report also indicates 1,358 people in Marion County received COVID-19 vaccines between Nov. 26 and Dec. 2. That was an increase of 109 vaccines from the week prior. That also was the fourth consecutive week that the total number of vaccines increased over the previous week. Overall, 60% of Marion County residents age 5 or older have been vaccinated against COVID-19.

The CDC encourages everyone 5 or older to get a vaccine to avoid serious illness from COVID-19. The agency also 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.

“The slight uptick in new cases is something we are keeping an eye on, especially since the omicron variant has now been reported in the U.S. Our hope is that this is a Thanksgiving-related anomaly, and not a signal that the recent trend of low transmission is reversing,” said Department of Health in Marion County Administrator Mark Lander.

“We continue to encourage vaccinations for all age groups, including 5- to 11-year-olds, since they are the most effective way to avoid serious illness and hospitalization. And with the upcoming holiday, and the potential for more exposure to crowded gatherings, we also urge the community to maintain best practices for staying safe.”

To avoid getting sick from COVID-19, the CDC recommends frequent hand-washing with soap and water, covering your mouth and nose with your elbow if you cough or sneeze, and staying home if you don’t feel well.

The omicron variant was detected in the United States on Dec. 1. The CDC remains the primary agency responsible for maintaining surveillance of omicron, and the Department of Health in Marion County will respond to the variant as needed with mitigation efforts that encompass both prevention and treatment, Lander said. 

According to the state’s latest report, Marion’s number of new cases rose slightly but still remains relatively low compared to the summer and early fall.

From COVID-19 cases reported between Nov. 26 and Dec. 2, Marion saw:

  • An average of 23.6 new cases per day
  • 3% positivity rate
  • A total of 1,358 people vaccinated

For the week of 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

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 U.S. 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 remains the only available choice for children ages 12 to 17. For people 18 and older, the department offers the Pfizer, Moderna and Johnson & Johnson vaccines.

County residents can also obtain 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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