Marion County’s COVID cases hold steady, MCPS quarantines drop, vaccines up in children ages 5-11 statewide

Marion County Update

COVID numbers in Marion County held steady last week as the county registered 129 new cases according to figures released by the Florida Department of Health Friday evening. The county reported 128 cases two weeks ago.

Along with cases staying relatively even, both the county’s positivity rate and cases per 100,000 held as well. The positivity rate stayed at 2.6% and the cases per 100,000 went from 34.4 to 34.6.

Trends in Marion County were also seen statewide, with the State of Florida recording 10,828 new cases of COVID-19 during the week of Nov. 12 to Nov. 18, halting a downward trend in cases that began back on Aug. 13.

Statewide vaccines were up dramatically in children ages 5-11, as the state reported 97,499 doses of the vaccine were administered last week compared to the 54,919 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 6% of them are now vaccinated against COVID-19.

The state’s overall vaccination rates, however, dropped last week after reporting 460,278 doses given two weeks ago. The state recorded administering 394,524 doses during the week of Nov. 12 to Nov. 18, bringing the population of the state vaccinated to 68% of those ages 5 and up.

Health and Human Services (HHS) data show 85% of all inpatient beds in Marion County hospitals are filled, the same percentage as last week. However, the percentage of COVID patients dropped from 4% to 2%. ICU beds occupied dropped as well, with HHS data showing 87% of beds occupied, down from 89%, with 3% being COVID patients, down from 6%.

COVID Test FL is offering testing in Ocala at the Ocala First Baptist Church located at 2801 SE Maricamp Road. COVID Test Express is offering testing in the Villages at 11714 NE 62^nd Terrace. Both locations are open Monday-Friday 8am-4pm.

MCPS Update

Marion County Public Schools (MCPS) recorded 15 total new cases for the week of Nov. 13 – Nov. 19, as 13 students and two employees were confirmed COVID-19 positive by the Florida Department of Health in Marion County. The figures, released Monday morning, are similar to the 16 cases reported during the period of Oct. 30 of Nov. 12. The district has not seen more than 20 cases since reporting 41 the week of Oct. 9 – Oct. 15.

While cases held steady, students and MCPS employees in quarantine dropped drastically from the last report, with MCPS reporting 67 students and no employees were quarantined due to direct contact with someone testing positive for COVID-19, down from the 195 reported last week.