Six more local residents have succumbed to COVID-19 as a new study showed that Florida ranked among the states with the highest Coronavirus infection rates for younger residents in 2020.
Three of the latest fatalities were in Sumter County, where the majority of Villages homes are located. Two were in Lake County and one was in Marion County. They are among the 1,829 tri-county area deaths, the 35,000 in Florida and the 565,764 across the country.
The study, conducted by a researcher at Florida Atlantic University, revealed that Florida counties with younger populations showed higher COVID-19 infection rates among those under 25, which puts the Sunshine State’s large elderly population at an increased risk for the virus.
The study, which was published in the Journal of Public Health Management & Practice, also revealed that counites with larger populations of younger people had higher infection, emergency room and hospitalization rates among those over 64.
The study prompted health officials to warn Floridians to maintain safety measures, especially as the rate of new COVID-19 cases continues to rise across Florida following a huge influx of spring breakers from high schools and colleges across the country. Many health officials are still backing the use of masks, social distancing and hand washing – even for those who have been vaccinated.
All told, Florida is reporting 2,155,744 COVID-19 cases – an increase of 7,296 from Thursday to Friday. Of those, 2,115,191 are residents. A total of 83,864 COVID-19 cases have been reported in long-term care centers and 31,949 in correctional facilities. Across the state, there have been 35,000 deaths and 87,943 people have been hospitalized.
Locally, Marion County is reporting 29,892 COVID-19 cases – an increase of 100 in a 24-hour period. There have been 943 deaths and 2,063 people have been hospitalized. A total of 120,626 people have been vaccinated, with 81,654 receiving both doses.
Ocala continues to lead Marion County with 21,853 cases – an overnight increase of 67. Others have been identified in Summerfield (1,873), Dunnellon (1,380), Belleview (1,316), Silver Springs (650), Citra (492), Ocklawaha (490), Fort McCoy (306), Reddick (303), Anthony (284), Weirsdale (242), The Villages (183), Salt Springs (49), Flemington (34), McIntosh (30), Orange Lake (25), Sparr (25), Candler (20), Lowell (19), East Lake (12), Fairfield (8) and Orange Springs (8).
Below is a breakdown of other COVID-19 activity in the local area:
TRI-COUNTY AREA
- Cases: 67,080 – increase of 218
- Deaths: 1,829
- Hospitalizations: 4,106
LAKE COUNTY
- Cases: 28,118 – increase of 96
- Deaths: 617
- Hospitalizations: 1,476
- Vaccinations: 150,208 (98,725 both doses)
- Cities with most cases: Clermont (7,472), Leesburg (4,249), Eustis (2,460), Mount Dora (2,081) and Tavares (1,958).
SUMTER COUNTY
- Cases: 9,070 – increase of 22
- Deaths: 269
- Hospitalizations: 567
- Vaccinations: 80,153 (64,115 both doses)
- Areas/cities with most cases: The Villages (4,202), Wildwood (1,053), Bushnell (993), Coleman (851) and Oxford (515).