Seventeen people in Marion County have now tested positive for the Coronavirus after eight more cases were reported overnight.
The patients range in age from 19 to 88. Twelve are Ocala residents and there’s one case each in Belleview, Dunnellon, Ocklawaha and Summerfield. One is an out-of-state visitor.
Seven of the eight new cases reported travel from either international or domestic locations affected by COVID-19. Twelve of the patients have reported recent travel to a variety of destinations including the United Kingdom, Ireland, Germany, Wisconsin, Texas, New York, South Carolina, New Jersey and other locations in Florida. It’s unknown if five of the patients have recently traveled.
“As we continue to see these numbers rise, it is important to remember that limiting travel and staying home unless you need to be out helps contain the amount of community transmission we could see,” said Mark Lander, Florida Department of Health in Marion County administrator. “It’s especially important that if you over age 65 or if you have health issues that you stay home, as you could be more vulnerable to COVID-19 if you were to get sick.”
COVID-19 testing is accessible at various places within Marion County. People who are experiencing symptoms and are over age 65, a healthcare worker, first responder or those who have recently traveled internationally or from impacted areas within the United States (i.e. New York tri-state area, Washington, California, Louisiana, etc.), are eligible for testing at the Department of Health in Marion County. Call the 24/7 COVID-19 hotline at (352) 644-2590 to schedule an appointment.
If you don’t meet the above criteria for testing at the Department of Health and would like to be tested, contact your primary care provider. If you do not have a primary care provider or if your primary care provider is unable to test, you can contact Heart of Florida Health Center at (352) 732-6599, www.myhfhc.org/ or Langley Medical Center at (352) 680-7000, www.langleymedicalcenter.com to see if you qualify for screening at their facilities.
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 at 866-779-6121, the local hotline at (352) 644-2590 or email COVID-19@flhealth.gov.