Marion COVID numbers again see slight increase, MCPS sees decrease

Marion County Update

Marion County’s COVID numbers marginally rose again last week as the county registered 165 new cases according to figures released by the Florida Department of Health Friday evening. The county reported 145 cases two weeks ago.

Along with rising cases, both the county’s positivity rate and cases per 100,000 also rose. The positivity rate went from 2.9% to 3.0%, and the cases per 100,000 went from 38.9 to 44.3, respectively.

According to Health and Human Services data, 82% of the county’s inpatient beds are filled, with only 2% of beds filled by COVID patients. Additionally, data shows 87% of ICU beds filled, with 7% being COVID patients.

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.

State Update

Not only did cases rise slightly in Marion County, but they also rose nominally across the state as well, with the State of Florida recording 10,892 new cases of COVID-19 during the week of Nov. 26 to Dec. 2, only the second time in the last 11 weeks cases have increased.

Statewide, vaccines numbers continue to rise in children ages 5-11, as the state reported 158,017 doses of the vaccine were administered last week compared to the 137,703 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 9% of them are now vaccinated against COVID-19.

The state’s overall vaccination rates also rose, hitting their highest levels in at least the past 10 weeks. The state recorded administering 497,854 doses during the week of Nov. 26 to Dec. 2, bringing the population of the state vaccinated to 69% of those ages 5 and up, the same level as two weeks ago.

MCPS Update

Marion County Public Schools recorded 17 cases for the span of Nov. 20 – Dec. 3, with 13 students and four employees were confirmed COVID-19 positive by the Florida Department of Health in Marion County.

Additionally, MCPS reported 55 students and two employees were quarantined due to direct contact with someone testing positive for COVID-19.