OCALA, Fla.— Marion County is reporting 1,642 cumulative cases of COVID-19 as of this afternoon. This is an increase of 915 cases since July 1. 

Of Marion COVID-19 tests from July 12, 8.7% were positive. The county’s cumulative positive test rate is now 5.3%. The daily positivity rate for all new COVID-19 tests in Florida on July 12 was 11.4%. The state’s cumulative positive test rate is 10.7%.

To date, 31,109 COVID-19 tests have been given in Marion County. Individuals who tested positive for the virus have ranged in age from 3 months old to 97 years old. Fifteen Marion County residents have died after contracting COVID-19. They ranged in age from 39 to 96 years old.

Marion County zip codes with the highest number of cases are:

• 32113 (Citra): 27
• 34420 (Belleview/Silver Springs Shores): 88
• 34431 (Dunnellon): 43
• 34432 (Dunnellon): 31
• 34470 (Ocala): 73
• 34471 (Ocala): 239
• 34472 (Silver Springs Shores): 114
• 34473 (Ocala/Marion Oaks): 142
• 34474 (Ocala): 100
• 34475 (Ocala): 50
• 34476 (Ocala): 125
• 34479 (Ocala): 59
• 34480 (Ocala/Belleview): 97
• 34481 (Ocala): 43
• 34482 (Ocala): 76
• 34491 (Summerfield): 113

For more detailed information on all Marion cases, visithttps://tinyurl.com/r63wtp4 to view Florida’s COVID-19 Data and Surveillance Dashboard.

The Florida Department of Health issued an updated public health advisory on June 20 about COVID-19. It outlines steps to protect Floridians and visitors from the virus. This advisory is in addition to steps that the department has taken to increase mitigation measures, including the purchase of 20 million cloth masks across the state. In Marion County, DOH-Marion staff have distributed more than 225,000 cloth masks. These masks have gone to local organizations that care for vulnerable and underserved populations to ensure that at-risk individuals have access to a cloth mask.

The Public Health Advisory provides the following recommendations:

All individuals in Florida should wear masks in any setting where social distancing is not possible, unless any of the following apply:

• A child is under 2 years old;
• An individual has one or more medical conditions or disabilities that prevent wearing a face covering;
• An individual is obtaining a service involving the nose or face for which temporary removal of the face covering is necessary to perform the service;
• An individual works in a profession where use of a face covering will not be compatible with the duties of the profession; or
• An individual is engaged in outdoor work or recreation with appropriate social distancing in place.

All individuals over the age of 65 and all individuals of any age with high-risk health conditions should limit personal interactions outside of the home and take all measures to limit the risk of exposure to COVID-19.

All individuals should refrain from participation in social or recreational gatherings of more than 50 people. For all gatherings of fewer than 50 people, individuals should practice social distancing by maintaining a distance of at least six feet from each other and wearing a face covering.

State Phase 2 guidelines also outline that social distancing, proper sanitization and/or other safety protocols (by industry) need to be used at re-opened facilities. Failure to follow these guidelines can leave individuals vulnerable to the spread of COVID-19.

In addition to the above guidance from the health advisory, residents are advised to avoid the 3C’s, which show the highest risk for spreading COVID-19:

-        Closed spaces with poor ventilation

-        Crowded places with many others nearby

-        Close-contact settings, such as close-range conversation

Exposure and testing

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), you should self-isolate and get tested for the virus.

The department offers free COVID-19 testing by appointment; call 352-644-2590 to schedule a test. You do not need to be experiencing symptoms to be tested. Testing is also available at many other local medical providers, including urgent care facilities; call before visiting a facility if you would like to be tested for COVID-19.

For more information

Visit DOH-Marion online at Marion.FloridaHealth.gov and follow the agency on Twitter (@FLHealthMarion) for the latest on COVID-19 in Marion. 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.