Ocala — Marion County’s COVID-19 positivity rate remained below 3% for a second consecutive week, according to the most recent state report.

Marion County is reporting 57,175 cumulative cases as of Nov. 18, with an increase of 129 new cases from the previous week. Between Nov. 12 and Nov. 18, 2.6% of Marion County COVID-19 cases tested positive. That was the same rate as last week.

The daily positivity rate for all new COVID-19 cases throughout Florida was 2.5%.

Marion County has now reported five consecutive weeks below 5%. The latest positivity rate also is the lowest the state has reported for Marion County since June 18, 2021, when the rate was 2.3%.

“That our positivity rate continues to be this low is certainly encouraging,” said Department of Health in Marion County Administrator Mark Lander. “But the holidays are approaching, and opportunities for crowded gatherings will increase. So, we continue to recommend that our community remains vigilant in following the CDC’s advice to reduce the risk from the virus. That includes maintaining good hygiene practices, such as frequent hand-washing, staying home when you are sick, and, if you have not already done so, consider getting a COVID vaccine, which remains the best available strategy to reduce serious illness from the virus.”

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention now rates Marion County’s community transmission rate as “moderate.”

The state’s new report indicates 1,198 people in Marion County received vaccines between Nov. 12 and Nov. 18. That was an increase of 164 vaccines from the previous week, and the second consecutive week more than 1,000 people received vaccines.

Marion’s number of new cases also remained low, according to the new report.

From COVID-19 cases reported between Nov. 12-18, Marion saw:

• An average of 18.4 new cases per day
• 2.6% positivity rate
• A total of 1,198 people vaccinated

For the week of Nov. 5-11, Marion saw:

• An average of 18.3 new cases per day
• 2.6% positivity rate
• A total of 1,034 people vaccinated

For the week of Oct. 29-Nov. 4, Marion saw:

• An average of 21.6 new cases per day
• 3.3% positivity rate
• A total of 712 people vaccinated

For the week of Oct. 22-28, Marion saw:

• An average of 33 new cases per day
• 4.4% positivity rate
• A total of 808 people vaccinated

For the week of Oct. 15-21, Marion saw:

• An average of 36 new cases per day
• 4.9% positivity rate
• A total of 674 people vaccinated

For the week of Oct. 8-14, Marion saw:

• An average of 43.1 new cases per day
• 5.6% positivity rate.
• A total of 736 people vaccinated

COVID-19 vaccine information

Anyone age 5 or older can now receive a COVID-19 vaccine at the Department of Health in Marion County.

The department provides vaccinations by appointment, Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. at its main office, 1801 SE 32nd Ave., Ocala.

Parents, guardians, or caregivers who are interested in obtaining a vaccination for their children, or adults seeking a new vaccine or a booster, can make an appointment by visiting tinyurl.com/MakeMarionFLVaxAppt.

The vaccines are available for free. 

The department encourages those with questions about vaccines to consult with their health care provider.

For the 5-11 age group, the department is making available doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine. The Food and Drug Administration has not yet approved other manufacturers’ vaccines for children.

According to the CDC, the Pfizer vaccine for children under 12 has the same active ingredients as the vaccine given to adults and adolescents, but the dose is only one-third the amount in the adult vaccine. The vaccine also is administered with smaller needles designed specifically for children.

Besides the Pfizer vaccine, those made by Moderna and Johnson & Johnson are available for people 12 and older at the Department of Health in Marion County. Vaccines also are available from other providers throughout Marion County, including many pharmacies, doctor’s offices, clinics and health centers. Visit floridahealthcovid19.gov/vaccines/vaccine-locator to learn more about vaccine locations.

COVID-19 testing continues locally

COVID-19 testing remains available at the First Baptist Church of Ocala.

CovidTestFL.Org, a COVID-19 mobile clinical testing service, provides free drive-through testing at the church, 2801 SE Maricamp Road, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Call CovidTestFL.Org at 866-826-8430 for additional details.

CovidTestFL.Org offers a diagnostic PCR COVID-19 test that provides results within three days via a text message or an email containing a link to results on a web portal. Expedited test results are available for an additional fee.

People who seek to be tested must enter the church parking lot entrance on SE 30th Ave. To be tested, individuals should bring a valid photo ID; minors under age 18 will only be tested if they are accompanied by a parent or legal guardian.

People should be prepared to stay in their vehicles while awaiting testing. Only people who are being tested should be in the vehicle, with the exception of parents, guardians, or caregivers. No pets are permitted in the vehicle during tests.

Additionally, testing can be done at private labs, physicians’ offices, pharmacies and walk-in clinics throughout Marion County.

For more information, call the Department of Health in Marion County at 352-644-2590.