Health Archives

Coronavirus test demand rises as cases trend up ahead of the holidays

December 20, 2021 11:45 AM Erika McGuire

COVID-19 case levels and hospitalizations are rising in Missouri as the holidays approach — part of a nationwide trend of increasing COVID infections.

MSHP asks drivers to use caution in strong winds

December 15, 2021 6:42 PM Leila Mitchell

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) The Missouri State Highway Patrol is asking drivers to use caution Wednesday night. The patrol says strong winds can cause large vehicles to tip over. According to the ABC 17 Stormtrack Weather Team, strong winds are possible in Mid-Missouri through about midnight. Conditions are expected to improve by Thursday morning’s commute. Strong

A medical worker (MTA) draws up syringes with the Biontech/Pfizer vaccine for children during a vaccination campaign in the shopping centre "Stadtzentrum Schenefeld" near Hamburg.

Health officials say teens age 16 and 17 should get booster dose

December 14, 2021 8:57 PM Leila Mitchell

Health experts say now is the time to get 16 and 17 year-olds vaccinated as the omicron variant continues to spread and as more school districts across the state start to take away the mask requirements.

Columbia Board of Education votes to remove COVID mask policy

December 13, 2021 5:46 AM Meghan Drakas

Board members are set to review the plan at Monday night’s meeting at the Aslin Administration building off of Worley Street.

Mid-Missouri health departments respond to attorney general’s warning letter

December 10, 2021 6:32 PM Hannah Falcon

While several health departments across the state are changing orders due to the attorney general’s threat, Mid-Missouri health departments are either avoiding the question or experiencing no effect.

Time running out to get full coronavirus booster protection before Christmas

December 9, 2021 11:43 AM Kennedy Miller

More people became eligible to get booster shots after the FDA authorized Pfizer/BioNTech’s coronavirus vaccine booster for 16- and 17-year-olds Thursday.

Missouri attorney general warns schools, local health agencies that continue to enforce health mandates

December 7, 2021 1:21 PM Hannah Falcon

The letters follow a Nov. 22 Cole County judge’s ruling in Robinson v. Department of Health and Senior Services. Judge Daniel Green ruled non-elected officials cannot issue and enforce public health orders in Missouri. Schmitt told ABC 17 News that his office took time to interpret how the ruling will affect the rest of Missouri before crafting the letters.

QUESTION OF THE DAY: Should the federal government cap insulin prices?

December 7, 2021 1:46 AM ABC 17 News Team

President Joe Biden on Monday touted a provision of his Build Back Better plan that would cap prices on insulin, which is considered a vital medication for millions of Americans. However, the pharmaceutical industry opposes any price caps, saying they’ll cut into revenue and dampen innovation.

Local football coaches say the game has been made safer over time as MU Health care aims to continue the protocol process

December 5, 2021 7:36 PM Chanel Porter

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) Local football coaches recognize that rules and protocols have progressed over the years to make the game safer, and MU Health Care aims to continue addressing the issue with the opening of a sports concussion clinic. The center, which is now opened in Columbia, is designed to accommodate a patient as early

SATURDAY UPDATES: Over 950 new COVID-19 cases recorded across the state

December 4, 2021 3:09 PM Chanel Porter

The state now has a seven day positivity rate of 13.1% on Saturday. An additional 953 new COVID-19 cases were added bringing the total of confirmed cases since the start of the pandemic is now 750,162. There have also been 170,572 probable antigen test results being positive, with 497 added Saturday. Three new deaths were

Missouri state officials dispute reports of mask mandate study

December 2, 2021 1:33 PM Hannah Falcon

By comparing the seven-day averages of Missouri counties with and without mask mandates in place, DHSS found that both case and death numbers were lower during the peak of the delta variant in counties that enforced mask-wearing.

SSM Health Medical Group – Family Medicine & Walk-in Clinic closing at end of the year

December 1, 2021 10:33 PM Karl Wehmhoener

LAKE OZARK, Mo. (KMIZ) The SSM Health Medical Group – Family Medicine & Walk-in Clinic is closing on Dec. 31. Hospital officials report they have reached out to all affected patients to let them know this location is closing. Officials say they are helping patients find other SSM Health Medical Group clinic locations and ensure

Court cases challenge pandemic-related mandates in Missouri

November 30, 2021 1:08 PM Hannah Falcon

Numerous court cases are testing local, state and federal governments’ powers to implement health orders and vaccine mandates, including in Missouri.

Local health officials share cooking tips to avoid foodborne illnesses

November 24, 2021 5:42 PM Hannah Falcon

Before you roast the bird, dress the greens and set the table, make sure you’re following all the necessary food preparation and storage precautions.

QUESTION OF THE DAY: Have you been vaccinated against the flu?

November 24, 2021 2:09 AM ABC 17 News Team

Health officials are pushing people to get the flu shot, citing worries of a severe flu season combined with a resurgent coronavirus pandemic.

MU Health reports over 100 positive flu cases in a week

November 23, 2021 11:49 AM Kennedy Miller

MU Health Care says more than 100 of its patients tested positive with the flu in the past week — more than the total for all of last flu season. Those cases have not yet been reported in state numbers.

Fire marshal gives safety advice ahead of holiday cooking and decorating

November 23, 2021 5:43 PM Chanel Porter

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) Thanksgiving is the peak day for home cooking fires, followed by Christmas and Christmas Eve. Fire officials want to make sure everyone knows what they need to keep they safe while cooking and decorating for the holidays. Matt Luetkemeyer, assistant state fire marshal, says people should be using the next few days before the

City of Centralia appoints new police chief Monday night

November 22, 2021 2:57 PM Zach Boetto

The Centralia city government appointed Harlan Hatton as the new police chief during its board of aldermen meeting Monday night.

All adults in Missouri now able to get COVID-19 booster shots

November 19, 2021 8:35 PM Katie Greathouse

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KMIZ) Missourians 18 years or older are now eligible to get a COVID-19 booster vaccine. The state health department amended orders Friday to authorize a single booster dose for adults. Both the Food and Drug Administration and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention authorized and endorsed the boosters Friday. Fully vaccinated

Waning vaccine immunity and rising infections due to the Delta variant has prompted wealthy nations to reconsider the definition of "fully vaccinated" from coronavirus.

DHSS adds breakthrough infection data to COVID-19 dashboard

November 18, 2021 9:22 PM Leila Mitchell

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS) statewide COVID-19 dashboard is publishing new data that it finds from “breakthrough infections.” DHSS reports the vaccine remains a strong defense against the virus, and that older age and health co-morbidities are strongly correlated with the “breakthrough infections.” According to DHSS and the Missouri Hospital