SATURDAY UPDATES: Hy-Vee plans to raise $1 million for food banks
UPDATE 8:57 P.M.: Hy-Vee announced late Saturday it plans to raise $1 million dollars for food banks impacted by COVID-19.
According to the news release, the grocery chain will collect donations from customers at checkout in-store and online.
Company officials said Hy-Vee will match donations dollar for dollar up to $500,000.
Hy-Vee has stores locations across the Midwest. The fundraiser starts March 23 and continues through April 30.
It's unclear how many food banks will receive funds and when it will be distributed.
The Food Bank of Central & Northeast Missouri said it will continue to serve food amid the spread of COVID-19. Staff members set up a drive-thru to hand out meals earlier this week.
UPDATE 6:29 P.M.: William Woods University officials say five of its students tested positive for COVID-19.
A post on the university's website shows all five cases of novel coronavirus reported in Callaway County as of Saturday are linked to students.
The website asked other students who may have come in contact with the students who tested positive to stay on campus.
"If you believe you have had extended contact with a student who has tested positive for COVID-19, we advise that you stay on campus for the time being. Please remain sheltered in place in your room, practice social distancing whenever encountering other people, and wash your hands frequently."
Vice President and Dean of Student Life Venita Mitchell
UPDATE 5:54 P.M.: The Callaway County Health Department said Saturday four more cases of COVID-19 have been confirmed in the county.
The Facebook post shows there are five confirmed cases of novel coronavirus in Callaway County.
Officials said Friday a Williams Woods student was the first to test positive for COVID-19 in the county. University leaders said other students would be tested for novel coronavirus.
A county health department director said all of the new cases are related to the first case.
UPDATE 5:13 P.M.: Officials at Fort Leonard Wood in St. Robert said a solider at the base tested positive for COVID-19.
According to a letter sent out Saturday evening, it's the first case of novel coronavirus confirmed at the Army base.
Army officials say the solider recently traveled to New York and Florida. The soldier was immediately screened and placed into isolation upon returning to the base, according to the letter.
The letter shows Military officials are tracking down people who might have come into contact with the soldier over the past two weeks.
As of Saturday, it's at least the second case of COVID-19 confirmed in Pulaski County.
UPDATE 4:56 P.M.: The City of Columbia website shows 15 people have tested positive for COVID-19 in the county, as of Saturday evening.
The Columbia/Boone County Health Department reported Friday 10 cases of novel coronavirus. Five more county residents have tested positive since then.
The state health department said 73 people have tested positive for novel coronavirus across Missouri.
One person in Boone County has died from COVID-19. Two others in the state have also died from coronavirus.
UPDATE 4:43 P.M.: SSM St. Mary's Hospital in Jefferson City said Saturday it's restricting most visitors to the hospital starting on Monday, March 23.
According to the announcement, only one visitor over the age of 18 will be allowed for pediatric patients, family birth centers and for compassionate care.
The hospital said visitors will also have to go through a screening process.
UPDATE 4:20 P.M: The US Small Business Administration announced Saturday Missouri businesses impacted by COVID-19 can apply for disaster assistance loans.
According to the letter, businesses can apply for loans up to $2 million.
Businesses allowed to sign up for the assistance include small businesses, private nonprofit organizations, small agricultural cooperatives, as well as agricultural enterprises.
The deadline to apply for the loans is Dec. 21, 2020.
UPDATE 3:37 P.M.: Gov. Mike Parson announced Saturday afternoon that he directed the state's health department to mandate social distancing.
The order said every state resident must avoid social gatherings of 10 more people.
It included all residents must avoid eating or drinking at restaurants, bars or food courts. Businesses can still serve food by drive-thru and delivery.
The order is scheduled to go into effect Monday, March 23 at 12:01 a.m. and remain in effect until April 6. However, Parson said the order could be extended.
UPDATE 1:35 P.M.: Vice President Mike Pence said Saturday that he and his wife Karen would be tested for the coronavirus after a staff member in his office tested positive for the virus this week, CNN reported.
"Given the unique position that I have as vice president and as the leader of the White House coronavirus task force, both I and my wife will be tested for the coronavirus later this afternoon," Pence said during a news conference at the White House.
CNN reported Pence's office announced Friday that one of its members tested positive for the coronavirus -- the closest confirmed case to Pence that is publicly known.
Watch the news conference in the player below.
UPDATE 1:05 P.M.: St. Louis and St. Louis County leaders said they will sign an order Saturday requiring residents to stay at home starting Monday.
The order will still provide for residents to leave home for essential services and even some recreation, St. Louis Mayor Lyda Krewson's office said in a news release.
Krewson said in a tweet that more information would be coming Saturday afternoon.
Boone County and Columbia officials put in place new restrictions Friday, as well.
Cases of COVID-19 in Missouri jumped from 28 late Thursday to 73 on Friday night. Gov. Mike Parson is expected to hold a news conference at 3 p.m. Saturday that will be streamed live on ABC 17 News.
ORIGINAL: The White House Coronavirus Task Force is expected to give an update Saturday.
President Donald Trump is scheduled to speak in a briefing at 11:30 a.m. ABC 17 News will be streaming the conference on this page.
This comes as COVID-19 continues to spread across the United States. As of 9 p.m. Friday, there were 73 confirmed cases in the state, including three deaths.
State officials are also expected to give a news conference at 3 p.m. ABC 17 News will stream live video of that event, as well.
