Marion COVID-19 cases fall 41%

COVID-19 cases in Marion County dropped sharply last week, with 614 new cases reported on Friday, according to the Florida Department of Health.

That number dropped from 1,038 cases the previous week. It was the lowest number of reported cases since the week ending July 8. 

The county’s positivity rate and cases per 100,000 fell as well. The positivity rate dropped from 13.3% to 9.1% and the cases per 100,000 went from 278.7 to 164.8.

The state recorded 37,772 new cases of COVID-19 during the week of Sept. 24 to Sept. 30. It’s the lowest number of new weekly cases in more than three months.

Meanwhile, vaccination rates dropped to their lowest levels in three months as well, with the state recording 278,891 doses administered.

County hospitalizations dropped as well, but ICU occupancy numbers rose. Health and Human Services data shows 89% of all inpatient beds in the county occupied, with COVID-19 patients making up 16% of the inpatient population. Additionally, 98% of all ICU beds are occupied, and COVID-19 patients make up 27% of those in the ICU.

Marion County Public Schools are expected to release their next round of COVID-related data on Oct. 4.