Two Marion County residents have died as a result of the COVID-19 virus.
They were identified Sunday night as an 88-year-old man who tested positive on March 27 and a 58-year-old man who tested positive April 1. The 88-year-old had recently traveled to Germany and the 58-year-old had come in contact with another COVID-19 patient. Both were Ocala residents and they are the first deaths linked to the virus in Marion County.
“We are saddened to learn of the passing of two members of our community,” said Florida Department of Health in Marion County Administrator Mark Lander. “Our deepest condolences go out to the families and loved ones of the individuals who are no longer with us.”
As of 6 p.m. Sunday, Marion County was reporting 50 COVID-19 cases. The most recent patients confirmed to have the virus range in age from 36 to 77. Five are from Ocala, two from Summerfield and one is from Dunnellon.
All told, Florida is reporting 12,350 cases of the Coronavirus – 11,961 of whom are residents. There have been 221 deaths – including three in Sumter County and two in Lake County – and 1,555 patients remain hospitalized.