OCALA, Fla.—In the month of June, Marion County has more than doubled its previous total number of COVID-19 cases. The Department of Health in Marion County is reporting 524 cumulative cases of COVID-19 as of this afternoon. This is an increase of 274 cases since June 1.

“It’s vital that you follow masking, social distancing and other health precautions to prevent the spread of the virus,” said Florida Department of Health in Marion County Administrator Mark Lander. “Even if you are asymptomatic or pre-symptomatic, you can easily spread the illness to other people. People who are not ill or experiencing symptoms also need to follow safety precautions, because people may not be aware that they have the virus when they are around you, and you could become infected.”

Standard COVID-19 precautions include staying 6 feet away from others when in public, wearing a cloth face covering when you go into public and it’s difficult to practice social distancing, staying home when you are sick (and self-isolating), avoiding gatherings of 50 or more people, frequently washing your hands, and cleaning frequently touched surfaces. Vulnerable individuals should take additional precautions to help reduce possible exposure.

People should also avoid the 3 C’s to help stop the spread of COVID-19. These are:

• Closed spaces with poor ventilation,
• Crowded places with many others nearby
• Close-contact settings, such as close-range conversation.

The risk of a cluster of COVID-19 cases is particularly high when these 3 C’s overlap.

The most recent individuals confirmed to have the virus are:

• 18-year-old male
• 50-year-old male
• 48-year-old male
• 21-year-old female
• 44-year-old male
• 54-year-old male
• 65-year-old male
• 42-year-old female
• 4-year-old female
• 28-year-old female
• 22-year-old female
• 22-year-old female
• 29-year-old male
• 31-year-old female
• 26-year-old female
• 19-year-old female
• 27-year-old male
• 7-year-old male
• 65-year-old male
• 26-year-old male
• 30-year-old female
• 59-year-old female
• 59-year-old male
• 51-year-old male
• 30-year-old female
• 23-year-old female
• 39-year-old male
• 24-year-female
• 33-year-old female
• 33-year-old female
• 22-year-old male

Of Marion COVID-19 tests from June 25, 6.9% were positive; the county’s cumulative positive test rate is 2.4%. Florida’s daily positive test rate for June 25 was 14.74%; the state’s cumulative positive test rate is 6.9%. To date, 22,108 COVID-19 tests have been given in Marion County. Of those, 21,486 were negative.

The zip codes in Marion reporting the highest total number of cases are:

• 34420 (Belleview/Shores): 29
• 34471 (Ocala): 75
• 34472 (Ocala/Shores): 37
• 34473 (Ocala): 46
• 34474 (Ocala): 39
• 34476 (Ocala): 42
• 34480: (Ocala/Belleview): 28
• 34491 (Summerfield): 53

For more detailed information on all Marion cases, view Florida’s COVID-19 Data and Surveillance Dashboard.

If you think you may have been exposed to COVID-19 or if you are experiencing symptoms of the virus (such as fever, cough, shortness of breath, or difficulty breathing), DOH-Marion recommends that you self-isolate and get tested for the virus. The department offers free COVID-19 testing; call 352-644-2590 to schedule an appointment at the health department. You do not need to be experiencing symptoms to be tested. Testing is also available at other local medical providers; call before visiting a facility if you would like to be tested for COVID-19.

Emergency order regarding alcohol sales issued

The Department of Business and Professional Regulation issued Emergency Order 2020-09 today related to COVID-19, and it is effective immediately. Per the order:

“All vendors licensed to sell alcoholic beverages for consumption on the premises who derive more than 50% of gross revenue from such sales of alcoholic beverages shall suspend sales of alcoholic beverages for consumption on the premises. Such vendors may continue to sell alcoholic beverages in sealed containers for consumption off the premises…

Vendors who are also licensed as public food service establishments or ‘restaurants’…may continue to operate for on-premises consumption of food and beverages at tables pursuant to the restrictions in Executive Order 20-139, so long as these vendors derive 50% or less of gross revenue from the sale of alcoholic beverages for on-premises consumption.”

For more guidance

For the most up-to-date information on COVID-19 in Florida, visit floridahealthcovid19.gov. For general questions about COVID-19, call the state hotline (866-779-6121), local hotline (352-644-2590), or email COVID-19@flhealth.gov. Individuals can also follow the Department of Health in Marion County on Twitter at www.twitter.com/FLHealthMarion for the latest updates on COVID-19 in Marion.