OCALA - As local businesses and activities begin to move closer to normal, residents and visitors need to continue exercising caution to prevent the spread of COVID-19. This is especially important if you are tested for the virus and awaiting results.
“There have been multiple occasions where individuals are tested due to experiencing symptoms of the virus, and then they go back to normal activities before receiving their results, whether that’s going to work or visiting with family and friends,” said Florida Department of Health in Marion County Administrator Mark Lander. “Then, these individuals find out that they are positive, those previous interactions can’t be walked back, and people who were exposed to the virus also become sick with it.”
If you are experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 (fever, cough, shortness of breath, chills, muscle pain, headache, sore throat or new loss of taste or smell) and awaiting your results, it’s crucial that you take steps to prevent the spread of germs.
- Stay home as isolated as possible until you receive negative test results.
- Always keep 6 feet between yourself and others.
- Monitor your health for worsening of COVID-19 symptoms.
- Wear a mask when around others.
If you find out that you are positive for COVID-19, you will need to:
- Immediately notify people you have had close contact with while ill. They will need to stay home for 14 days as isolated possible, monitor for symptoms, and stay 6 feet away from others at all times.
- Take care of yourself by staying home, keeping in touch with your healthcare provider, and staying away from others. Visit https://tinyurl.com/stepswhensick for more information.
- Call your county health department for additional guidance.
COVID-19 case overview
Marion is continuing to see a decrease in cases from its peak in April. The Department of Health in Marion County saw 23 positive cases of COVID-19 in March, 152 in April, and 73 in May. DOH-Marion is reporting 255 cumulative cases of COVID-19 as of this afternoon. The most recent individuals confirmed to have the virus are:
- 5-year-old male from Ocala
- 11-year-old male from Ocala
- 36-year-old female from Ocala
- 37-year-old male from Ocala
- 74-year-old female from Ocala
So far, 13,652 COVID-19 tests have been given in Marion County. Of those, 13,395 were negative. Individuals who tested positive for the virus have ranged in age from 6 months to 97. Seven Marion County residents have died after becoming ill with COVID-19. Marion’s positive test rate is 1.9%; Florida’s positive test rate is 5.5%. For more detailed information on all Marion cases, view Florida’s COVID-19 Data and Surveillance Dashboard.
For the most up-to-date information on COVID-19 in Florida, visit floridahealthcovid19.gov. For general questions about COVID-19, call the state hotline (866-779-6121), local hotline (352-644-2590), or email COVID-19@flhealth.gov. Individuals can also follow the Department of Health in Marion County on Twitter at www.twitter.com/FLHealthMarion for the latest updates on COVID-19 in Marion.
