There were 1,543 new COVID-19 cases recorded in Marion County for the seven-day period ending Dec. 30 – more than four times the 363 cases reported the previous week, according to the Florida Department of Health.
The state and country are seeing cases soar, particularly because of the omicron variant of the virus, which originated in South Africa and is highly transmissible.
Marion’s testing positivity rate was 17.4%, up from the previous week’s 5%. It is the highest rate in Marion County since mid-September and the first time in 11 weeks the rate surpassed 5%.
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“We anticipated this increase to some degree because of the holidays, and the possibility of crowded gatherings, especially with guests from out of town,” Department of Health in Marion County Administrator Mark Lander said. “But we’re concerned that we’ve reached a point with new infections that we have not seen in a few months.”
“We encourage our community to heed the guidance for slowing the spread of the virus,” he continued.
Lander elaborated that people should continue to wash their hands frequently, stay home if they’re sick and receive a COVID-19 vaccine or booster if eligible to prevent serious illness or hospitalization.
Testing volume, hospitalizations increase
The running total of COVID-19 cases in Marion County since March 1, 2020 is now 59,663 — 16% of the population. CDC data showed 5,650 COVID-19 tests performed the week ending Dec. 23, an increase of 20.2% from the previous week.
There were no new deaths recorded since the previous week’s report, keeping the total death count in Marion County at 1,797, though recording may be delayed until weeks after a death occurred.
The addition of 961 more people vaccinated this week brings the county total to 218,393. Of Marion County’s population aged 5 and older, 62% have received the Pfizer, Moderna or Johnson & Johnson vaccine. The state’s vaccination rate is 71%.
CDC data also show 30 new hospitalizations for the seven days ending Tuesday, Dec. 28, which is a 130.8% increase from the previous week.
The percentage of beds used for COVID-19 patients was 3%, the same as last week. The percentage of intensive care unit beds used was 6%, a slight increase from the previous week.
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Florida statewide trends
The FDOH report showed all counties surrounding Marion County also had increasing COVID-19 case counts:
- Alachua: 2,072
- Citrus: 375
- Flagler: 562
- Lake: 2,831
- Levy: 133
- Putnam: 155
- Sumter: 385
- Volusia: 3,939
The new cases reported across the state for the week totaled 298,455, more than double the previous week’s 128,186. A month ago, weekly cases totaled less than 11,000. The state’s positivity rate was 26.5% this week, up from the prior week’s 13.9%.
CDC data through Wednesday showed Marion County and 55 other Florida counties have a “high” level of community transmission. Ten counties are in the “substantial” category, and only one still has “moderate” transmission.
In the Department of Health and Human Services Region 4, which includes Florida and seven other states, 78.3% of cases were caused by the omicron variant of the coronavirus, according to data through Dec. 25.
Marion County offers regular, booster shots
The Florida Department of Health in Marion County offers vaccines for people ages 5 and older.
The vaccine available for ages 5 to 11 is the Pfizer-Biontech vaccine, which has the same active ingredients as that given to adults and adolescents but only one-third the dose of the adult vaccine. It is also administered with smaller needles designed for children.
Two doses are recommended three weeks apart, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Vaccinations are available Monday through Friday from 8:30 to 11 a.m. and 1 to 4:30 p.m. at the Florida Department of Health in Marion County, 1801 SE 32nd Ave., Ocala. Appointments can be made at tinyurl.com/MakeMarionFLVaxAppt, or walk-ins are also welcome.
All people 16 and older who received the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine are eligible for booster shots six months after the completion of their initial series, while those who received Johnson & Johnson must wait two months after their initial vaccination.
The Food and Drug Administration also expanded the Emergency Use Authorization of a booster dose of the Pfizer vaccine for youths 12-15, which the CDC must authorize.
Per the CDC, individuals can “mix and match” which vaccine they receive as a booster when available. Many pharmacies, doctor’s offices, clinics and health centers also offer vaccines. Other locations can be searched at bit.ly/3GWsBQm.
Gov. Ron DeSantis recently visited Ocala and announced a new monoclonal antibody treatment intended to prevent immunocompromised individuals from contracting the virus for up to six months. This is different from monoclonal treatments currently used to lessen the severity of symptoms after infection. Treatment sites can be searched at floridahealthcovid19.gov.
Testing still available at First Baptist Church
COVID-19 testing is available at the First Baptist Church of Ocala, 2801 SE Maricamp Road. COVID Test FL is offering the drive-thru testing from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday.
Individuals should bring a valid photo ID, and minors must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian.
Testing is also available at many private labs, physicians’ offices, pharmacies and walk-in clinics in the county.
Contact reporter Danielle Johnson at [email protected]
