Coronavirus Archives

QUESTION OF THE DAY: Will you get a coronavirus booster shot?

August 18, 2021 2:14 AM ABC 17 News Team

The move to OK a third shot could come as early as this week. Federal regulators last week authorized a third shot for people with weakened immune systems.

TUESDAY UPDATES: Missouri remains in the red zone; state profile report shows new cases down 21%

August 17, 2021 9:20 AM ABC 17 News Team

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

Jefferson City Schools parents feel strongly about mask mandate

August 17, 2021 2:57 PM Chanel Porter

The Jefferson City Board of Education will meet Tuesday at 6 p.m. — its first since the district made the decision.

Gamma, delta and lambda: What are they and are they cause for concern?

August 17, 2021 12:49 PM Leila Mitchell

Genetic variants of SARS-CoV-2 — the virus that caused the coronavirus pandemic — have been emerging and circulating around the world. The World Health Organization classifies variant viruses as “variants of interest” and “variants of concern.” According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, variants of concern can spread more quickly and cause more serious COVID-19 illness.

WATCH: State teachers association discusses pandemic effects on education

August 17, 2021 3:29 AM Molly Stawinoga

Watch the full interview here.

Health experts to soon recommend a third coronavirus vaccine dose for everyone

August 17, 2021 5:49 AM Zola Crowder

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) Vaccine makers are preparing for a next possible phase of the coronavirus vaccine rollout, which would allow for booster shots for all Americans, not just those with weakened immune systems. On Thursday, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration authorized third doses of both the Pfizer and Moderna coronavirus vaccines for certain immunocompromised

MONDAY UPDATES: Missouri adds 86 coronavirus related deaths after analyzing death certificates

August 16, 2021 7:47 AM ABC 17 News Team

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

More protection: US likely to authorize COVID booster shots

August 16, 2021 11:21 PM Associated Press

By ZEKE MILLER and MATTHEW PERRONE Associated Press WASHINGTON (AP) — After struggling for months to persuade Americans to get the COVID-19 vaccine, U.S. health officials could soon face a fresh challenge: talking vaccinated people into getting booster shots. As early as this week, U.S. health authorities are expected to recommend an extra dose of

Jefferson City School District students and staff will be required to wear masks to begin the school year

August 16, 2021 7:01 PM Chanel Porter

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KMIZ) Jefferson City Public Schools made the announcement Monday that the district will require students and staff to wear masks when social distancing isn’t possible as the school year is set to begin in one week on Aug. 23. Effective Tuesday, this approach was recommended by the Cole County Health Department and

Lewis and Clark Middle School in Jefferson City returns to in-person classes after Thanksgiving break.

Jefferson City School District to require masks where distancing isn’t possible

August 16, 2021 11:59 AM Leila Mitchell

Jefferson City Schools announced the decision Monday afternoon. The district released its back-to-school plans amid the continuing coronavirus pandemic earlier this month but said at the time a decision on masks would come Monday.

Jefferson City School District to decide on mask requirement on Monday

August 16, 2021 4:19 AM Meghan Drakas

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KMIZ) According to the Jefferson City School District website, the district is set to decide on whether or not to require masks for the upcoming school year on Monday. The district previously released its return to school plan in early August but chose to hold off on a final decision on masks

SUNDAY UPDATES: Covid-19 hospitalizations and ICU numbers begin to trend downward

August 15, 2021 4:40 PM Chanel Porter

The state now has a seven day positivity rate of 14.6% on Sunday. This comes with 1,400 additional confirmed cases bringing the total to 601,721 since the start of pandemic. Health officials also recorded 347 new probable cases with a total number of 119,304 antigen test results being positive. One new death was recorded Sunday.

Jefferson City Schools to decide on mask requirements

August 15, 2021 4:56 AM Ben Fein

Jefferson City Schools are set to decide on mask requirements at schools, as the deadline to make the decision is set for Monday, according to the district’s return plan.

SATURDAY UPDATE: Missouri surpasses 600,000 Covid-19 cases since the start of the pandemic

August 14, 2021 9:42 PM Chanel Porter

The state now has a seven day positivity rate of 14.5% on Saturday. The increase in positivity comes along with 2,418 additional confirmed cases bringing the total to 600,321 since the start of pandemic. Health officials also recorded 805 new probable cases with a total number of 118,957 antigen test results being positive. Twenty new