Marion COVID cases continue to rise, MCPS sees another increase

Kristina McClellan, a registered nurse, left, gets her face shield disinfected by Cece Bellot, a registered nurse, right, during the COVID-19 drive-thru testing at the Florida Department of Health Marion County in Ocala, Fla. on Monday, June 29, 2020. The Department of Health is testing for COVID-19 three-four days a week with prior appointments. [Bruce Ackerman/Ocala Gazette] 2020.

Marion County Update

COVID cases in Marion County continue their upward trend as the county registered 5,536 new cases during the week of Jan. 7-Jan. 13, according to figures released by the Florida Department of Health (FLDOH) Friday evening. In the previous report, the county reported recording 3,130 cases two weeks ago, and 1,543 cases for the week of Dec. 24-31.

Along with the increasing overall number of cases, the county’s positivity rate rose significantly. The positivity rate climbed from 17.4% to 31.3%, and as with the total number of cases and positivity rate, the cases per 100,000 grew as well, from 840.3 to 1,486.3.

As expected, local hospitalizations have begun to rise with the number of new cases over the past few weeks.

In Health and Human Services (HHS) hospitalization numbers last updated Jan. 7, county hospitals reported 83% of inpatient beds filled, with 4% of those being COVID patients. Additionally, 84% of ICU beds were filled, with 6% being COVID patients.

For reference, HHS reported on Dec. 28 that 78% of inpatient beds were filled, with 2% of those being COVID patients, and 84% of ICU beds were filled, but only 4% were COVID patients.

In Ocala, COVID Test FL is offering testing 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 new COVID cases continue to rise in Marion County, but they also rose across the state as a whole, although the increase was not as pronounced as it had been in previous reports.

Florida recorded 430,297 new cases for the week of Jan. 7-13, compared with 396,353 new cases of COVID during the week of Dec. 31-Jan. 06, and 297,888 cases during the week of Dec. 24-30.

Along with the increase in cases, the state’s cases per 100,000 average rose from 1,358.1 to 1,958.1.

While the number of cases and cases per 100,000 increased, the new case positivity fell. According to the FLDOH weekly report, the state’s new case positivity is 29.3%, down from 31.3%.

The state’s overall vaccination rates also fell from the three previous reports, as the state recorded administering 333,477 doses of the vaccine last week, compared with the 349,354 doses two weeks ago and 389,342 doses three weeks ago. This brings the total state population of those ages 5 and up to 72%, up a percentage point from the previous report.

Specific to children ages 5-11, the state reported administering 21,382 doses of the vaccine last week, bringing the total number of children vaccinated to 303,387. The total population of children ages 5-11 in the state is just under 1.7 million, and figures released by the state showed 18% of them are now vaccinated against COVID-19.

MCPS Update

Marion County Public Schools (MCPS) reported 870 confirmed cases for the week of Jan . 8-13, with 698 students and 172 employees confirmed COVID-19 positive by the Florida Department of Health in Marion County.

Additionally, MCPS reported 2,090 students and 129 employees were quarantined due to direct contact with someone testing positive for COVID-19 during that span.

In the preceding report for the week of Jan. 1-7, MCPS reported 512 confirmed cases, with 356 students and 156 employees testing positive for the virus. Further, 638 students and 88 employees were quarantined as a result of direct exposure.

COVID numbers continue to remain above the threshold set by FLDOH for MCPS to consider having students wear face coverings.

According to FLDOH guidance, the county must be below 99.9 cases per 100,000 (currently at 1,486.3) and the new case positivity must remain below 10% (currently at 31.3%) for two weeks in order for coverings not to be required.