Five more local residents have succumbed to COVID-19 as the number of new cases across Florida dropped – possibly because testing sites closed for Christmas and some remained shut down over the weekend.
Three of the latest fatalities lived in Marion County and the other two were residents of Lake County. They are among the 862 deaths across the tri-county area, the 21,514 across the state and the 332,723 across the country.
All told, Florida is reporting 1,271,979 cases – an increase of 7,391 from Saturday to Sunday. Of those, 1,250,285 are residents. A total of 63,323 cases have been reported in long-term care centers and 27,170 in correctional facilities. Across the state, there have been 21,514 deaths and 61,459 people have been hospitalized.
Locally, Marion County is reporting 17,030 COVID-19 cases – an increase of 111 in a 24-hour period. There have been 454 deaths and 1,304 people have been hospitalized.
Ocala is reporting 12,833 cases – an overnight increase of 91. Others have been identified in Summerfield (965), Dunnellon (730), Belleview (671), Citra (294), Silver Springs (294), Ocklawaha (255), Reddick (157), Fort McCoy (146), Anthony (131), Weirsdale (118), The Villages (58), Flemington (34), Salt Springs (28), McIntosh (15), Sparr (15), Candler (14), Orange Lake (14), Lowell (9), Morriston (6), East Lake (5), Orange Springs (5) and Fairfield (4).
Below is a breakdown of other COVID-19 activity in the local area:
TRI-COUNTY AREA
- Cases: 36,536 – increase of 236
- Deaths: 862
- Hospitalizations: 2,659
LAKE COUNTY
- Cases: 14,723 – increase of 96
- Deaths: 290
- Hospitalizations: 981
- Cities with most cases: Clermont (3,888), Leesburg (2,335), Eustis (1,199), Mount Dora (1,148) and Tavares (1,127).
SUMTER COUNTY
- Cases: 4,783 – increase of 29
- Deaths: 118
- Hospitalizations: 374
- Areas/cities with most cases: The Villages (1,940), Coleman (730), Wildwood (655), Bushnell (526) and Oxford (273).
MARION COUNTY
- Cases: 17,030 – increase of 111
- Deaths: 454
- Hospitalizations: 1,304
- Cities with most cases: Ocala (12,833), Summerfield (965), Dunnellon (730), Belleview (671) and Citra (294). The Villages also is reporting 58 cases.