Ocala, Fla. — New COVID-19 cases in Marion County decreased during the past week, according to the Florida Department of Health’s most recent summary, released Friday. The community’s positivity rate also declined.

According to the state’s report, Marion County recorded the following for the week of Oct. 14–20:

• New cases: 136. That was down from 174 cases in the state’s previous report, released on Oct. 7. The number of new cases has steadily decreased since the July 15 report, when the community peaked at 1,199 new cases.
• The county’s cumulative case total as of Sept. Oct. 20: 100,090. 
• Latest positivity rate: 5.9%. That decreased from 8.3% in the state’s Oct. 7 report and is the lowest rate since 3.5% reported on April 22.
• Statewide positivity rate: 7.1%. That remained the same as the state’s Oct. 7 summary.
• Vaccines: 25. That decreased from 33 vaccines noted in the state’s Oct. 7 report.
• Overall ratio of county residents 6 months or older who have been vaccinated: 61%.

Unreported at-home tests performed in Marion County are not included in the state’s summary. 

As of Oct. 20, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention rated Marion County’s community transmission risk as low.

The Department of Health in Marion County encourages our community’s residents to help reduce the spread of the virus as much as possible. Please stay home if you feel sick and use good personal hygiene practices, more importantly washing your hands frequently. DOH-Marion also reminds residents that vaccines may help reduce serious illness and hospitalizations from COVID-19.

From COVID-19 cases reported during the week of Oct. 14-20, Marion saw:

• An average of 19.4 new cases per day
• 35.6 cases per 100,000 residents
• 5.9% positivity rate
• A total of 25 people vaccinated

During the week of Sept. 30–Oct. 6, covered in the state’s last report, Marion County recorded:

• An average of 24.9 new cases per day
• 45.6 cases per 100,000 residents
• 8.3% positivity rate
• A total of 33 people vaccinated

For the reporting period of Sept. 16-22, Marion County noted:

• An average of 40.4 new cases per day
• 74.1 cases per 100,000 residents
• 9.4% positivity rate
• A total of 49 people vaccinated 

For the week of Sept. 2–8, Marion saw:

• An average of 72.4 new cases per day
• 132.8 cases per 100,000 residents
• 11.5% positivity rate
• A total of 50 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.

Appointments are required at this time.

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

Visit floridahealthcovid19.gov to learn more about vaccine locations. 

DOH-Marion 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 FDA has approved the Novavax vaccine for people 12 and older. The Johnson & Johnson vaccine is available only for those 18 and older.

The CDC recommends that adults who have received either the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine obtain a booster shot at least five months after their primary series is completed. Adults who are 50 or older or who are moderately or severely immunocompromised are encouraged to get a second booster at least four months after the initial booster vaccine.

The Pfizer or Moderna vaccines are recommended as boosters for the Johnson & Johnson vaccine. A booster can be administered at least two months after the original J&J vaccine. The Novavax vaccine is not authorized for use as a booster dose at this time.

Most children and teenagers can receive a Pfizer booster at least five months after their primary series is complete. Children and teens who are moderately or severely immunocompromised may receive a Pfizer booster at least three months after the final dose in the primary series. The CDC further recommends a second Pfizer booster at least four months after the initial booster for children and teens who are moderately or severely immunocompromised.

The CDC has not recommended Moderna boosters for children at this time.

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 or older who is considered 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 treatment options, visit floridahealthcovid19.gov and click the “Treatment Locator” tab at the top of the page.

Find out more

For more information about COVID-19, contact the Department of Health in Marion County at 352-629-0137.

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.