COVID-19 cases fall slightly in Marion

[Bruce Ackerman/Ocala Gazette]

[Bruce Ackerman/Ocala Gazette]

Despite the drop, new weekly cases still reached 3,052 between Aug. 27 and Sept. 2. The number of new cases was down 176 from the previous week. The county’s positivity rate and cases per 100,00 dropped as well. The positivity rate went from 25% to 23.7%, and the cases per 100,000 from 866.6 to 819.4, according to the Florida Department of Health.

Still, county hospitalization numbers remain high, with Department of Health and Human Services data showing 98% of all inpatient beds in the county were occupied. COVID-19 patients made up 36% of the inpatient population.  Additionally, 98% of all ICU beds are occupied, and COVID-19 patients make up 41% of those in the ICU.  

The State of Florida recorded 129,240 new cases of COVID-19 during the week of Aug. 27th to Sept. 2nd, the Florida Department of Health reported Friday evening, its lowest number of new weekly cases since the week of July 23.  Vaccination rates dropped as well, however, as the state recorded its lowest number of vaccinations since July 30, administering 462,269.

The county is providing COVID-19 vaccinations on a walk-in and appointment basis Monday through Friday from 8 to 11 a.m. and 1 to 3 p.m. at its main office located at 1801 SE 32nd Ave. in Ocala.  

Additional vaccination locations include:.  

— Saturday, Sept. 11. from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Tuscawilla Park (800 NE Sanchez Avenue, Ocala)

— Saturday, Sept. 11. from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Holy Faith Episcopal Church (19924 W. Blue Cove Drive, Dunnellon)

— Saturday, Sept. 11. From 2 to 6 p.m. Shiloh Seventh Day Adventist Church (500 SW 17th Ave., Ocala)

Marion County Public Schools is expected to release its COVID-related data on Sept. 7.