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Thursday, March 28, 2024

COVID-19 positivity rate, overall cases rise in Marion County for sixth straight week as more residents seek vaccine

The COVID-19 positivity rate and overall number of cases increased in Marion County for the sixth straight week despite nearly 5,000 more residents receiving the vaccine last week.  

The new data released from the Florida Department of Health shows that Marion County is reporting 42,168 cumulative cases of COVID-19 as of Thursday, August 12. That represents an increase of 2,655 cases from the previous week, and a positivity rate of 27.4%.

The daily positivity rate throughout the state of Florida for last week was 19.3%.

According to the report, last week a total of 4,740 people received the vaccine. The previous week, 4,507 residents received the vaccine. Those two numbers represent stark increases over previous vaccination totals, which hadn’t crossed the 4,000-resident mark before this month. 

“Vaccines remain the best tool that we have to prevent serious illness from COVID-19,” says Department of Health in Marion County Administrator Mark Lander. “There are many locations locally where you can be vaccinated for free. Contact the location nearest you to schedule an appointment.”

Multiple government officials and medical health professionals have gone on record in recent weeks to urge Marion County residents to receive the vaccine. 

This past week, Marion County School Board member Eric Cummings made an impassioned plea with residents to avoid “gambling with kids health and lives.”

Earlier this month, both Marion County Board of County Commissioners Kathy Bryant and Craig Curry were adamant in their support of the vaccine. Bryant cited the loss of a close friend, while Curry cited his personal battle with COVID-19 as “10 days of hell.”