Two Marion County residents, a 60-year-old male from Ocala and a 66-year-old male from Ocklawaha, have died after contracting COVID-19.
These are the eleventh and twelfth Marion County residents to die after contracting COVID-19.
Marion County has reported 817 cumulative cases of COVID-19 as of this afternoon, an increase of 567 since June 1. Of Marion COVID-19 tests from July 2, 7.8 percent were positive; the county’s cumulative positive test rate is 3.3 percent. The daily positivity rate for all new COVID-19 tests in Florida on July 2 was 14.8 percent; the state’s cumulative positive test rate is 8.6 percent. To date, 24,967 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.
Residents are urged to take precautions to prevent the spread of COVID-19 when out in the community. They should practice social distancing, wear a mask when in public and you can’t practice social distancing, avoid large gatherings and stay home when sick. Health officials encourage residents to avoid closed spaces with poor ventilation, crowded places with many others nearby, and close-contact settings, such as close-range conversation. Individuals over the age of 65 and those with underlying conditions are at risk of severe complications from COVID-19 and should avoid crowds and minimize contact outside the home.