Health Archives

Many in Columbia are asking for health orders to return, while others still oppose

July 25, 2021 8:38 PM Ben Fein

As COVID-19 cases continue to surge in the month of July, many have begun to put masks back on in Boone County.

Triple digit temperatures hitting mid-Missouri this weekend.

MU Health Care doctor shares heat safety

July 23, 2021 9:42 PM Zach Boetto

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) With the heat indices expected to reach triple digits this weekend, an MU Health Care doctor says it’s important to be prepared to cool yourself and your loved ones down. According to the Stormtrack Weather Team, between noon and 6 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday is expected to be the hottest of

The Columbia/Boone County Public Health and Human Services assistant director says outside counties are contributing to the majority of COVID-19 hospitalizations in Boone.

FRIDAY UPDATES: Boone County active coronavirus cases and hospitalizations drop

July 9, 2021 8:31 AM ABC 17 News Team

Check back here for updates on the COVID-19 pandemic in Missouri.

Troopers increase DWI enforcement as Fourth of July counting period kicks off

July 2, 2021 12:27 AM Zach Boetto

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) The Missouri State Highway Patrol is strictly enforcing driving while intoxicated and underage drinking laws this Fourth of July weekend. The 2021 counting period for the holiday will run from 6 p.m., Friday, to 11:59 p.m., Monday. The Missouri Department of Transportation Division of Highway and Traffic Safety also kicked off it’s

Columbia officials concerned about increasing COVID-19 cases, no plans for new health order

June 30, 2021 12:13 PM Ben Fein

The Columbia/Boone County Public Health Department says the rise in COVID-19 cases in Columbia is concerning however currently, there are no plans in place for a new health order.

Jefferson City Police Department says missing teenage girl found safe

June 30, 2021 11:59 AM Josie Anglin

The Jefferson City Police Department is searching for a 15-year-old girl who has been missing since Saturday.

Syringe being filled with coronavirus vaccine

Contact tracing delayed as delta variant spreads

June 29, 2021 12:00 PM Hannah Falcon

Missouri’s rate of positive coronavirus tests continues to go up and local health department officials are warning about delays in contact tracing.

Missouri House to introduce Federal Reimbursement Allowance in special session Monday

June 28, 2021 6:09 AM Meghan Drakas

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KMIZ) The Missouri House is set to introduce the Federal Reimbursement Allowance in a special session on Monday after it was passed in the Senate early Saturday morning. Normally, the FRA is passed with bipartisan support. The special session was called after the legislature failed to pass the FRA for the first

The Missouri Department of Health and Human Services COVID-19 numbers reported June 27.

SUNDAY UPDATES: Missouri sees a near 20% increase in week to week coronavirus cases

June 27, 2021 4:38 PM Zach Boetto

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services reported 467 new cases of the coronavirus Sunday, bringing the total case count since the start of the pandemic to 522,889. The state dashboard says new cases are up by 19.6% over the past seven days. The positivity rate is currently at 7.7%. Missouri

Missouri risks Medicaid funding over contraceptive fight

June 17, 2021 11:27 PM Associated Press

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) — Missouri is at risk of losing $4.5 billion in tax revenue and federal funding for Medicaid health insurance. At issue is an effort by some Republican lawmakers to stop Medicaid coverage for some contraceptives. They want to attach the ban to a tax that provides a significant chunk of Medicaid

Mid-Missouri heat, humidity reaching potentially dangerous levels this week

June 17, 2021 11:48 AM Ben Fein

Highs are expected to reach the upper 90s Thursday and Friday over much of the area, leading to possible heat indexes of 100 degrees or more.

Columbia/Boone County Board of Health gives recommendations to reduce teen vaping rates in the county

June 11, 2021 11:28 PM Karl Wehmhoener

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) After a delay due to the coronavirus, the Columbia/Boone County Board of Health has issued their recommendations to help reduce teen vaping rates in the county. The report states that “harmful health and mental health effects of youth vaping are far-reaching, and more interventions are needed to bring down the number of

MU Health care to shift focus, as mass vaccination clinics close

June 8, 2021 5:19 PM Ben Fein

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) Faurot Field will host its last COVID-19 mass vaccination clinic Thursday, as MU Health Care says they will now shift their focus to smaller outreach clinics in primary care clinics. Brad Myers with MU Health Care said the hope is that in bringing the vaccine closer to residents, they will be able

Local health department discuss vaccine incentives, as vaccinations trend downwards

June 3, 2021 3:05 PM Ben Fein

Nationwide, according to the CDC’s website, 50.8% of Americans have received at least one dose with 41% being fully vaccinated.

Now Hiring Sign On The Rocks Bar Downtown Columbia, MO

Columbia prepares for return of large events, continues to deal with staffing issues

May 24, 2021 12:54 PM Ben Fein

The Columbia Convention and Visitors Bureau is set to discuss the 2021 Roots & Blues festival on Monday, as Columbia works to bring back larger events to the city.

Missouri lawmakers pass statewide prescription drug database

May 11, 2021 3:29 PM Associated Press

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) — Missouri is closer than ever to joining every other state in having a statewide prescription drug database to flag possible opioid misuse. The House on Tuesday voted 91-64 to send Gov. Mike Parson legislation that would create such a program. Parson has said he supports prescription monitoring programs. The proposal

Missouri House votes to legalize needle exchanges

May 10, 2021 7:20 PM Associated Press

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) — The Missouri House has passed a bill to legalize needle-exchange programs. The House voted 101-55 for the bill Monday. Needle-exchange programs allow drug users to trade used hypodermic needles for clean ones. The aim is to stop people from reusing dirty needles or sharing needles with others, which can spread

Columbia and Boone County leaders to give COVID-19 update

May 3, 2021 5:22 AM Zach Boetto

Boone County leaders will be updating residents on the future of health orders Monday.

Columbia health leaders explain what factors into COVID-19 health order updates

May 1, 2021 6:49 PM Chanel Porter

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) The City of Columbia will host a community briefing to give an update on the current COVID-19 numbers and future plans of the Boone County health order. Scott Clardy, assistant director of the Columbia/Boone County Health Department, said when making updates to the health order, the city is focused on three main

Vaccine appointments available ahead of MU Health Care clinic at Faurot Field

May 1, 2021 5:35 AM Ben Fein

MU Health Care is set to host a vaccine clinic Saturday at Faurot Field, offering vaccinations to all Missourians age 16 and older.