COVID numbers increase in county, state also sees drastic increase
RN Latonjia Washington gives a patient their COVID vaccine at Top of the World in Ocala, Florida, Friday, March 5, 2021. [Cyndi Chambers/Correspondent] 2021
Marion County Update
Marion County’s COVID numbers rose to their highest levels since the last week in October, as the county registered 179 new cases according to figures released by the Florida Department of Health Friday evening. The county recorded 146 cases reported two weeks ago and 230 on Nov. 1.
The county’s positivity rate and cases per 100,000 rose along with the overall number of cases. The positivity rate climbed from 2.4% to 3.3%, and the cases per 100,000 increased from 39.2 to 48.1.
In Health and Human Services hospitalization numbers last updated Dec. 13, county hospitals reported 87% of inpatient beds filled, with 3% of those being COVID patients. Additionally, 89% of ICU beds were filled, with 6% being COVID patients.
COVID Test FL is offering testing in Ocala at the Ocala First Baptist Church located at 2801 S.E. Maricamp Road. COVID Test Express is offering testing in the Villages at 11714 N.E. 62nd Terrace. Both locations are open Monday-Friday 8 a.m.-4 p.m.
State Update
Not only did cases rise locally in Marion County, but they also rose across the state as a whole, as the State of Florida recorded 29,568 new cases of COVID during the week of Dec. 10 to Dec. 16. That number is the highest number of cases reported statewide since the week of Sept. 24 to Sept. 30, when the state recorded 37,772 new cases.
Statewide, vaccines numbers have risen in children ages 5-11 every week since vaccines became available, as the state reported 208,421 doses of the vaccine were administered last week compared to the 185,556 doses given two weeks ago. The total population of children ages 5-11 in the state is just under 1.7 million, and figures showed 12% of them are now vaccinated against COVID-19.
The state’s overall vaccination rates fell to their lowest numbers since the last week in October, as the state recorded administering 448,212 doses during the week of Dec. 10 to Dec. 16, bringing the population of the state vaccinated to 70% of those ages 5 and up.
MCPS Update
Marion County Public Schools is closed for winter break until January 3, 2022. No COVID updates were posted to their website.
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