Health Archives

Columbia’s reopening plan orders some businesses to stay closed

April 30, 2020 7:53 PM Zach Boetto

A number of entertainment venues in Columbia will stay closed until further notice after city and Boone County leaders rolled out a new reopen order Thursday.

University leaders expect “unpopular” decisions due to financial troubles

April 29, 2020 9:41 PM Lucas Geisler

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) UM System President Mun Choi said he expects to make some “unpopular” decisions in the coming year due to COVID-19’s impact on the school. Choi made the comment during the Mu Faculty Council meeting on Wednesday alongside MU Provost Lantha Ramchand and Vice Chancellor Rhonda Gibler. Choi said he expected state leaders

Local gym using UVC lights to disinfect facility

April 29, 2020 6:32 PM Zach Boetto

COLUMBIA Mo. (KMIZ) As states across the nation begin their first phases of reopening business, many americans are eager to get back to the gym. Dr. Randall Williams, the director of the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services issued an order on April 27 allowing gyms to reopen on Monday. Gyms across Missouri are

State health department could pay private labs more than $1 million to ramp up testing

April 28, 2020 7:48 PM Lucas Geisler

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KMIZ) The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services could pay more than $1 million to private labs in increase testing capacity as the state begins to relax social distancing rules. The contracts obtained by ABC 17 News show that at least three labs, including one in mid-Missouri, will help the state

Central Missouri Humane Society donating food to pet owners in need

April 25, 2020 5:50 PM Sydney Olsen

The Central Missouri Humane Society is helping pet owners in need during the Coronavirus pandemic.

COVID-19 leading local businesses to close permanently

April 24, 2020 7:34 PM Zach Boetto

COLUMBIA Mo. (KMIZ) The effects of COVID-19 have forced multiple businesses around Columbia to close for good. Yin Yang Night Club and Bambino’s Italian Café are two of the first to shut their doors following Gov. Mike Parson’s ‘Stay Home Missouri’ order. Veronika Versace, a Yin Yang Nightclub show director says the virus was the

Addiction experts worry about long-term impacts during recovery as alcohol sales spike

April 24, 2020 6:37 PM Connor Hirsch

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) As stay-at-home orders and self-isolation continue to keep people cooped up, experts say some are turning to alcohol to cope with the stress and anxiety related to COVID-19. Data shows alcoholic beverage sales went up by 55 percent in late March, compared to sales in 2019. According to the data from Neilson,

Rural Mid-Missouri communities increase COVID-19 testing

April 23, 2020 7:20 PM Zach Boetto

COLUMBIA Mo. (KMIZ) A COVID-19 testing laboratory in Columbia says it is seeing rural communities across Missouri increase COVID-19 testing. “That landscape is shifting a lot,” said Tim McCarty, the Marketing Director of GeneTrait Laboratories. “It could be access to testing materials, it could be the community is identifying these first couple of cases, and

Columbia car camp provides a sanitary space during COVID-19

April 19, 2020 7:49 PM Zach Boetto

COLUMBIA Mo. (KMIZ) A car camp in Columbia is providing a space where people experiencing homelessness can go to clean up and stay stagnant. The CoMo Car Camp is Columbia Ward 2 City Councilman Mike Trapp and his brother John Trapp’s third attempt to create a safe space for people without shelter to stay during

SUNDAY UPDATES: New case of COVID-19 in Callaway County

April 19, 2020 7:03 AM Molly Stawinoga

Follow our live blog for Sunday updates as the coronavirus spreads across mid-Missouri.

SATURDAY UPDATES: Two mid-Missouri counties report new cases of COVID-19

April 18, 2020 1:22 PM Molly Stawinoga

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) ORIGINAL: Both Boone and Cole Counties have one new case of COVID-19. Boone County is reporting 88 cases of the virus, with 79 people recovered. There are currently eight active cases in the county. Cole County also has one new case, bringing the total there up to 43 with 33 people recovered.

Boone County program offering free counseling amid COVID-19 outbreak

April 18, 2020 5:18 AM Ben Fein

Families and children up to 19 years of age can access free counseling to help with issues due to COVID-19.

Columbia lab needs more swabs to increase COVID-19 testing

April 16, 2020 7:43 PM Zach Boetto

COLUMBIA Mo. (KMIZ) GeneTrait Laboratories in Columbia has the capacity to test up to 20,000 samples for COVID-19 per week but officials from the lab say they’re lacking in essential materials. “We have some limitations right now,” said Michelle Beckwith, the vice president of GeneTrait Laboratories. “I don’t believe most of it’s an actual testing

SUNDAY UPDATES: Three new cases of COVID-19 in Boone County

April 12, 2020 2:21 PM Molly Stawinoga

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) UPDATE 2:18 P.M.: The Columbia/Boone County Health Department has reported 79 cases of COVID-19 in Boone County. That is a jump up three cases from 76 cases Saturday. The county currently has 14 active cases of the virus. Sixty four people have recovered from the virus so far.

Local churches live-streaming Easter Sunday service

April 11, 2020 9:46 PM Zach Boetto

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) Churches around Mid-Missouri will be practicing social distancing on Easter Sunday while still finding innovative ways to have a service. Some churches even plan to broadcast their worship service on streaming platforms like their websites, the radio and even Facebook live. First Baptist Church of Centralia pastor Chris Baker says this will

SATURDAY UPDATES: Boone County at 76 cases of COVID-19

April 11, 2020 1:48 PM Molly Stawinoga

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) COVID-19 case numbers might differ among state and local health authorities because of issues with reporting and address verification. UPDATE 1:46 P.M.: The Columbia/Boone County Health Department is reporting 76 cases of COVID-19. The county has 64 recovered cases and 11 active cases.

Honesty, availability key in talking with children about COVID-19

April 9, 2020 11:54 AM Brittany Wiley

With coronavirus continuing to spread across the globe it can be difficult to escape conversations about it. Depending on the child, the virus can also feel very intimidating, so experts say it’s important to be available to listen to and talk with your child.

Red Cross braces for drop in donations amid the COVID-19 outbreak

April 8, 2020 6:15 PM Connor Hirsch

While Mid-Missouri hospitals say they have enough blood supplies right now, the American Red Cross is bracing for a lack of blood because of the COVID-19 outbreak.

TUESDAY UPDATES: Cole and Saline counties report new COVID-19 cases

April 7, 2020 6:19 AM ABC 17 News Team

Check back throughout the day for the latest updates on the COVID-19 pandemic.

Columbia Parks and Recreation adding restrictions to parks due to COVID-19

April 6, 2020 9:58 PM Brittany Wiley

Some Columbia parks will soon have added restrictions because of the COVID-19 pandemic.