The Florida Department of Health has released its virus summary for the week of Friday, October 28 through Thursday, November 3, and it shows a slight rise in new COVID-19 cases in Marion County.
According to the Florida Department of Health in Marion County’s (DOH-Marion) bi-weekly COVID-19 situation report, a total of 165 new cases were reported in Marion County during the previous week (October 28 to November 3).
The latest report shows that Marion County experienced an average of over 23 new cases each day, with just over 43 cases being reported per 100,000 Marion County residents. During the previous reported week (October 14 to October 20), the county averaged over 19 new infections per day.
The state’s data does not include at-home tests in Marion County that were not reported.
The number of new COVID-19 cases in Marion County has dropped significantly since DOH-Marion’s July 15 situation report, when the county reached a 2022 peak of nearly 1,200 recorded cases.
As of November 3, a cumulative total of 100,432 COVID-19 cases have been reported in Marion County. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has rated the county’s community transmission risk as ‘low.’
DOH-Marion encourages members of the community to take steps to reduce the spread of the virus as much as possible, including staying at home if you feel ill and practicing good personal hygiene. The department is also reminding residents that vaccines may help reduce serious illness and hospitalizations from COVID-19.
A total of 35 residents were vaccinated during the week of October 28 to November 3. The latest report shows that 61% of eligible residents are currently vaccinated in Marion County. All residents ages 6 months or older are considered eligible.
DOH-Marion provides free COVID-19 vaccinations Monday through Friday, from 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. and from 1 p.m. to 4:30 p.m., at its main office located at 1801 SE 32nd Avenue in Ocala. According to DOH-Marion, appointments are required at this time.
In addition to DOH-Marion, vaccines for all age groups can be obtained throughout Marion County at many pharmacies, doctor’s offices, clinics, and health centers. Anyone who has questions about vaccines, whether for themselves or their children, should consult with their health care provider.
COVID-19 testing is also available at numerous pharmacies, urgent care clinics, and doctor’s offices throughout Marion County.
For more information on vaccine locations or the latest vaccine guidance, or to find local testing sites, visit the Florida Department of Health’s COVID-19 website.
DOH-Marion states that several COVID-19 treatment options are still available in Florida to prevent severe illness and hospitalization, including Monoclonal antibody therapy as well as therapeutics such as Evusheld, Paxlovid, and Molnupiravir, which can be administered with a physician’s prescription.
For more information on the latest COVID-19 figures, visit the Florida Department of Health’s COVID-19 website, and click on the “Treatment Locator” tab at the top of the webpage for more information about monoclonal antibody treatment and other therapeutics.
For more information about COVID-19 locally, visit the Florida Department of Health in Marion County’s website or call the department at 352-629-0137.