Ocala, Fla. — The Florida Department of Health’s newest COVID-19 summary, released Friday, revealed the following data for Marion County for the week of July 8–14:

• New cases: 1,199. That was up from 964 cases recorded in the last state report, published on July 1.
• The county’s cumulative case total as of July 14: 91,631. 
• Positivity rate: 18.8%. That was up from 18.1% as noted in the state’s July 1 report.
• Statewide positivity rate: 21.2%.
• Vaccines: 155. That was up from 115 vaccines noted in the state’s July 1 report.
• Overall ratio of county residents who have been vaccinated: 60%. This section of the state’s report now includes all county residents 6 months or older who have been vaccinated.

The state’s data do not include at-home tests in Marion County that were not reported. 

As of July 14, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports Marion County’s community transmission risk as high.

The Department of Health in Marion County encourages our community to take steps to reduce the spread of the virus as much as possible, including staying home if you feel ill and practicing good personal hygiene. DOH-Marion also reminds county residents that vaccines may help reduce serious illness and hospitalizations from COVID-19.

From COVID-19 cases reported during the week of July 8–14, Marion County saw:

• An average of 171.3 new cases per day
• 18.8% positivity rate
• A total of 155 people vaccinated

For the week of June 24–30, the period covered in the state’s prior report, Marion recorded:

• An average of 137.7 new cases per day
• 18.1% positivity rate
• A total of 115 people vaccinated

For the week of June 10–16, Marion recorded:

• An average of 113 new cases per day
• 13.9% positivity rate
• A total of 48 people vaccinated

For the week of May 27 to June 2, Marion recorded: 

• An average of 94.6 new cases per day
• 12.4% positivity rate
• A total of 64 people vaccinated

For the week of May 13-19, Marion recorded:

• An average of 59 new cases per day
• 9% positivity rate
• A total of 68 people vaccinated

For the week of April 29 to May 5, Marion recorded:

• An average of 43.3 new cases per day
• 6.7% positivity rate
• A total of 89 people vaccinated 

COVID-19 vaccine availability 

DOH-Marion provides free COVID-19 vaccinations from 8:30–11:30 a.m. and 1–4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, at its main office, 1801 SE 32nd Ave., Ocala.

No appointment is necessary. Walk-ins are welcome.

Vaccines for all age groups can also be obtained throughout the county at many pharmacies, doctor’s offices, health clinics and health centers.

Visit floridahealthcovid19.gov to learn more about vaccine locations. 

The Department encourages people with questions about vaccines to consult with their health care provider.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved the Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna vaccines for all age groups. The Johnson & Johnson vaccine is available only for those 18 and older.

According to the CDC, children ages 5 to 11 with moderately or severely compromised immune systems may receive an additional primary dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine after waiting at least 28 days from receiving their second dose in the primary vaccination series. 

The CDC also has reduced the wait time for a booster dose for people 18 and older who have completed either the Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna vaccination series.

Adults and children ages 12 to 17 are now eligible for a booster shot five months after their primary series is completed. 

COVID-19 testing

Testing is available at numerous pharmacies, urgent-care clinics, and doctor’s offices throughout Marion County. Visit floridahealthcovid19.gov to find local testing sites. 

COVID-19 treatment options

Monoclonal antibody therapy remains available in Florida. These treatments can prevent severe illness, hospitalization and death in high-risk patients. 

Anyone 12 and older who is considered at high risk for severe illness due to COVID-19 is eligible for this treatment. 

In addition to monoclonal antibody treatment, Florida continues to provide therapeutics such as AstraZeneca’s Evusheld, Pfizer’s Paxlovid and Merck’s molnupiravir, which can be administered with a physician’s prescription.

For more information about monoclonal antibody treatment and other therapeutics, visit floridahealthcovid19.gov and click the “Treatment Locator” tab at the top of the page.

Find out more

For more information about COVID-19 locally, call the Department of Health in Marion County at 352-644-2590.

Visit marion.floridahealth.gov, marionflcovid.org and twitter.com/flhealthmarion for information on COVID-19. Visit floridahealthcovid19.gov and use the Vaccine Locator and Testing Sites tools to find vaccination and testing sites near you.