Marion County records three more Covid deaths

Three Marion County residents have died after contracting COVID-19, the county Health Department reported on Friday, bringing the community’s overall fatality count to 15.

The agency did not identify the victims, or exactly when they passed away. They were described as a 52-year-old man from Ocala, a 75-year-old man from Ocala, and a 79-year-old man from Summerfield.

Each of them had underlying health conditions, the Health Department said.

Marion County has seen a major spike in COVID-19 cases of late. The county Health Department reports that as of Friday the community has witnessed 1,307 total cases – with 145 new cases reported since Thursday and 585 overall since July 1.

During July 11% of coronavirus tests have come back positive. That puts the cumulative rate of positive tests at 4.6 percent. Twelve percent of them have resulted in hospitalization.

To date, 28,588 virus tests have been conducted in Marion County. The ages of those with positive tests have ranged from 3 months old to 97.

Comparatively, throughout Florida, the positivity rate for all new COVID-19 tests as of Thursday was 12.75 percent. The state’s overall positive test rate is 10.1 percent. Seven percent of Florida’s cases have involved hospitalization.

Health Department officials are urging local residents to take precautions to curtail the spread of the virus.

That means practice social distancing, wear a mask when in public and you can’t practice social distancing, avoid large gatherings of 50 or more people and stay home when sick.

Residents should also avoid the “3C’s”: closed spaces with poor ventilation, crowded places with many others nearby, close-contact settings, such as close-range conversation.

Additionally, people 65 and over as well as those with underlying conditions are at risk of severe complications from COVID-19 and should avoid crowds as much as possible, and minimize contact with others when outside their homes.

Anyone who thinks he or she has been exposed to COVID-19, or who is experiencing symptoms (such as fever, cough, shortness of breath, or difficulty breathing), should self-isolate and get tested for the virus.

The Health Department offers free COVID-19 tests by appointment; call (352) 644-2590 to schedule a test. You do not need to be experiencing symptoms to be tested.

Testing is also available at many other local medical providers, including urgent care facilities; call before visiting a facility if you would like to be tested for COVID-19.

For more information about coronavirus visit Marion.FloridaHealth.gov.