COVID-19 in Marion County: Cases rising, though far below all-time high in January

Joe Callahan, Ocala Star-Banner
·3 min read
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The number of COVID-19 cases continues to rise in Marion County, with 1,146 new cases reported for the two-week period ending June 2, according to the Florida Department of Health's bi-weekly report, which was released on June 3.

That number, a total accumulated from May 20-June 2, is up from 713 reported for May 6-May 19.

That means the number of new cases climbed by 60.7% from the May 21 report to the June report. Marion's one-week record was 5,336 cases, registered Jan. 7-13.

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Deaths seem to be on the decline. Reported deaths were 2.14 per day for two weeks ending March 25, 1.06 per day for 30 days from March 26 to April 25, and 0.65 per day for 43 days from April 26 through June 7.

In all, Marion County now has recorded 85,979 COVID-19 infections since the pandemic began in March 2020. There have been 2,119 deaths, up 28 in the past 43 days.

Another indicator that the latest COVID-19 variant, called Omicron subvariant BA.2, is spreading rapidly, is hospitalizations.

On Tuesday, 44 people had been hospitalized with COVID-19 in the past week, compared with 29 weekly hospitalizations reported on June 1. The all-time record was 350 weekly hospitalizations recorded during last fall's Delta variant.

As of June 2, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports Marion County’s community transmission risk as medium, according to a Florida Department of Health in Marion County press release.

“Based on the most recent reports, we appear to be seeing another seasonal increase in new cases,” said Mark Lander, the administrator of Marion's health agency. “That said, our community should keep working to slow the spread of the virus."

Lander added that "you can help with that by staying home if you’re sick, using good personal hygiene, and taking other precautions individuals deem necessary for their own health.”

Ocala Fire Rescue Capt. Brian Cribbs reads an empty Pfizer vaccine vial during a free COVID-19 vaccination event in 2021.
Ocala Fire Rescue Capt. Brian Cribbs reads an empty Pfizer vaccine vial during a free COVID-19 vaccination event in 2021.

Meanwhile, the seven-day positivity rate is also increasing. The seven-day positivity rate for Marion County listed on Tuesday was 16.85%, up from 14.34% on June 1, 11.7% on May 23, 10.95% on May 16, 9.81% on May 9 and 6.27% on May 2, according to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Local vaccine statistics

As of June 7, 237,111 Marion County residents have had at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine, up 275 when compared to June 1. Of those, 98,648 had both shots and a booster, 193 more than on June 1, according to state data.

Pencils, hand sanitizer and wipes are the biggest needs in classrooms in 2021.
Pencils, hand sanitizer and wipes are the biggest needs in classrooms in 2021.

The CDC report shows that on June 7, 74.5% of Marion residents ages 18 and older have had at least one dose of the vaccine, while 72.6% of Marion residents ages 12 and older, and 68.2% of residents ages 5 and older have had at least one dose.

Meanwhile, 92% of residents ages 65 and older have had at least one dose as of June 7. The data shows that 64.9% of Marion's entire population has had at least one dose.

— Contact Joe Callahan at (352) 817-1750 or at joe.callahan@starbanner.com. Follow him on Twitter @JoeOcalaNews.

This article originally appeared on Ocala Star-Banner: COVID-19 cases rising in Marion County, Florida