Health Archives

A vial of the Moderna Covid-19 vaccine and syringes sit prepared at a pop up vaccine clinic on April 16 in New York City. The U.S. will begin shipping more than 3 million additional Covid-19 vaccines to certain Central American countries

CDC panel set to discuss booster shots after FDA authorization

August 13, 2021 5:27 AM Zola Crowder

The CDC advisory panel is set to meet Friday and must issue a recommendation to distribute the booster shots.

THURSDAY UPDATES: Roots N Blues Festival will require proof of vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test for entry

August 12, 2021 5:27 AM ABC 17 News Team

The Roots N Blues Festival will require either proof of vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test to gain entry into the festival. Festival officials are asking attendees to bring four things to enter: a valid government issued IDproof of vaccinationor a negative covid test obtained less than 72 hours before entry is required. Children will

All of Mid-Missouri still in high transmission level of COVID-19

August 11, 2021 6:00 AM Zola Crowder

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) As the delta variant continues to spread across Missouri, the most recent state profile report shows all but three counties in the “red zone” or high transmission level of COVID-19. Missouri State Profile ReportDownload Currently, 112 counties in Missouri, including all of Mid-Missouri, are in the “red zone.” Two counties, Pemiscot and

Registration closes Wednesday for first round of Missouri vaccine incentives

August 10, 2021 6:29 AM Zola Crowder

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) Since Gov. Mike Parson announced the vaccine incentive program in Missouri in July, 375,000 Missourians have signed up for a chance to win $10,000. Acting director of the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services Robert Knodell said there has been an increase in vaccinations since the vaccine program was announced. “Vaccinations

Columbia City Council rejects mask mandate

August 9, 2021 6:19 PM Zach Boetto

Dozens of protestors against the mask mandate gathered in front of city hall before pouring into the council chambers.

Mayor of Columbia favors vaccine action over mask mandate

August 6, 2021 11:02 PM Zach Boetto

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) The mayor of Columbia said efforts should lean toward people getting vaccinated against COVID-19 instead of debating a mask mandate. This comes as the city plans to meet Monday to possibly mandate masks once again. The Columbia City Council is set to discuss an emergency ordinance, which, if passed, would require everyone

Health officials reminding residents of value of vaccines as Callaway County under hotspot advisory

August 6, 2021 5:57 AM Zola Crowder

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) Callaway County is the latest addition to the growing list of counties under hotspot advisories in Mid-Missouri. Health officials are reminding residents of the value of vaccines as cases increase in the county. Currently 33.5% of residents in Callaway County are fully vaccinated, but experts say at least 70% to 80% of

Vaccinations steadily increase as incentive program nears first drawing for winners

August 5, 2021 5:40 AM Zola Crowder

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) Gov. Mike Parson announced the vaccine incentive program on July 21, and since then vaccinations have steadily increased across the state. According to the state’s vaccine dashboard, health officials have given out an average of 13,000 vaccines each day over the past week. Before the incentives were announced, the seven-day average of

WEDNESDAY UPDATES: Boone County reports second death in two days; 935 active coronavirus cases

August 4, 2021 5:45 AM ABC 17 News Team

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

A full house for the Aug. 2 Columbia City Council meeting.

Columbia health department director proposes more masking in Columbia

August 2, 2021 11:14 PM Zach Boetto

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) The Columbia/Boone County Public Health & Human Services director asked the Columbia City Council on Monday to consider having masks again in city facilities. “I really believe everybody should be wearing their mask indoors, regardless of vaccination status, because we need to protect our kids, we need to protect people that are

MU Health Care COVID-19 testing site opens Monday

August 2, 2021 4:11 AM Zola Crowder

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) MU Health Care is opening a dedicated COVID-19 test collection site on Monday as the demand for testing continues to increase in Mid-Missouri. The testing site will be a fast, convenient option for those with known exposure or mild symptoms, or those who just need a travel test. The testing site is

coronavirus corona novel masks 3m mask breath

THURSDAY UPDATES: Springfield-Greene County withdraws request for alternate care site for coronavirus patients

July 29, 2021 4:26 AM ABC 17 News Team

Check back for updates related to the coronavirus pandemic in Mid-Missouri.

Dangerous Mid-Missouri heat increases risks for pets

July 28, 2021 4:23 AM Ben Fein

As Mid-Missouri is expecting to see temperatures reach the upper 90’s this week, pets are at an increased risk for heat related illness or injury.

More than 57,000 Missourians could be mandated to get vaccine pending White House decision

July 28, 2021 5:58 AM Zola Crowder

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) The White House is strongly considering requiring federal employees to show proof of vaccination against COVID-19, or submit regular testing and wear a mask at all times. On Tuesday, Pres. Joe Biden said this was “under consideration,” and is expected to announce the mandate Thursday. According to data from Missouri’s Economic Research

Health experts give advice to avoid heat risks ahead of the upcoming heatwave

July 27, 2021 6:30 PM Chanel Porter

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KMIZ) With the heat index on Wednesday and Thursday ranging from 100 to 110, health experts are advising people to take precautions during the heatwave. With heat being the leading weather-related killer, MU Health Care’s emergency medicine physician, Doctor Christopher Sampson, said people need to be cognizant of risks of dehydration, heat

Vaccine orders in Missouri nearly tripled in one week

July 26, 2021 4:53 AM Zola Crowder

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) In just one week, the number of vaccines ordered in Missouri increased by 14,350. This is the biggest jump seen in nearly two months. For the week of May 31, Missouri ordered just 1,670 doses of the vaccine, then for the week of June 7, vaccine orders increased slightly to 7,540. In

Emergency services warn of heat exhaustion ahead of this weekend’s Show-Me State Games

July 24, 2021 4:33 AM Hannah Falcon

As Show-Me State Game participants pack up their cleats, rackets and frisbees, they need to remember lots of water, too!

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

Show-Me State Games return for week two as extreme heat settles in

July 23, 2021 5:49 AM Zola Crowder

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) The ABC 17 Stormtrack Weather Team has issued a Weather Alert Day as hot temperatures are expected this weekend and the Show-Me State Games week two start Friday. Tennis, baseball, youth tackle football and track and field all have events starting Friday and go through the weekend. The Stormtrack Weather Team said

Opioid settlement worth millions of dollars announced in St. Louis

July 22, 2021 9:18 AM Leila Mitchell

ST. LOUIS, Mo. (KMIZ) Missouri Attorney General Eric Schmitt said the state could expect more than half a billion dollars as part of a settlement between several states and painkiller manufacturers. Attorney General Schmitt made the announcement alongside the families of people affected by the opioid epidemic. Schmitt said the final details of the settlement