Coronavirus (COVID-19) Guide

Case Counts & Statistics

  • Boone County, MO COVID-19 Information
    A clearinghouse of up-to-date COVID-19 case counts and statistics and available resources for COVID-19 for Boone County.
  • Coronavirus Tracker
    Resource for accurate and updated numbers on this global pandemic.
  • Maps & Visuals
    A collection of links to different maps and data visualizations of the evolving pandemic from the University of Minnesota’s Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy.
  • Missouri Public Health Dashboard
    Statewide COVID-19 information for Missouri – Definitions, statistics, case counts, hospital status and other up to date information can be found here.

General Information

  • Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
    Information from the leading national public health institute of the United States.
  • Columbia/Boone County Public Health & Human Services
    Up-to-date information on emergency preparedness and downloadable signs for workplaces and schools.
  • How to “Flatten the Curve”
    Excellent explainer from the Washington Post about how social distancing can slow the spread of the coronavirus.
  • Missouri Department of Health & Senior Services
    Missouri news related to the outbreak and a statewide public hotline for citizens or providers needing guidance regarding COVID-19 (the disease caused by the novel coronavirus). Call the hotline at 877-435-8411.
  • The Path to Zero: Key Metrics for COVID Suppression
    A collaboration of top scientists at institutions around the country, lead by the Harvard Global Health Institute, who have joined forces to create a unified set of metrics for the coronavirus pandemic, including a shared definition of risk levels — and tools for communities to fight the virus. Dashboard retired as of December 2022.
  • World Health Organization
    Health topic page from the World Health Organization (WHO), an agency of the United Nations that focuses on world public health. Includes a “myth busters” page that addresses COVID-19 rumors.
  • Your pets and COVID-19
    Information on the health and welfare of domestic animals, including pets, during the COVID-19 pandemic from the American Veterinary Medical Association.

Medical Advice & Help

  • Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Hotline: 877-435-8411
    The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS) activated a statewide public hotline for citizens or providers needing guidance regarding COVID-19. The hotline is being operated by medical professionals and is available Mon-Fri. 7:30am – 5:30pm.
  • COVID-19 Testing Sites
    List of locations, including their contact information, where COVID-19 testing is available in the state of Missouri.
  • Boone Health Lab Services
    Information on contacting lab services at Boone Health for testing.
  • City of Columbia COVID-10 Health Resources
    List of resources related to COVID-19, including symptoms, treatment, and vaccines.
  • MU Health Care Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) Page
    Information about what to do if you’re sick and how to get tested through MU Health Care.
  • Columbia/Boone County COVID-19 Vaccine Information
    Information on vaccines from Columbia/Boone County Public Health and Human Services.
  • Missouri Department of Health & Senior Services Vaccinators Map
    Information on providers of the COVID-19 vaccine throughout the state of Missouri. Individuals can sign up online or call the COVID-19 hotline at (877) 435-8411 for notification of statewide vaccinations.
  • Statewide Vaccination Transportation Services
    The Department of Health and Senior Services, in collaboration with Missouri’s Advisory Committee on Equitable COVID-19 Vaccine Distribution, compiled this list of statewide and regional resources for individuals who face transportation as a barrier to receiving the COVID-19 vaccine. Many of these transportation providers received stimulus funds to provide transportation to assist individuals with getting to and from their vaccine appointments and are able to offer the service at no cost. These rides will be available as long as the funding lasts for each provider.

Information for Parents & Child Care Providers

Assistance

  • Affordable Connectivity Program
    Information on this program from the FCC is which extended a benefit for families to gain access to broadband services during the pandemic to families experiencing hardship, both due to the COVID-19 pandemic and otherwise. The Affordable Connectivity Program stopped accepting new applications and enrollments on February 7, 2024. The last fully funded month of the program was April 2024.
  • Ameren Missouri COVID-19 Clean Slate Program
    Multiple community partners and agencies will participate in administering this program and determining income eligibility. Once the agency determines your eligibility, the program can help you clear the remaining balance on your account after you make a down payment of 25% of your current balance owed.
  • CoMoHelps
    CoMoHelps is a joint effort of Heart of Missouri United Way, City of Columbia, Boone County and Community Foundation of Central Missouri, offering assistance to those who are struggling in the COVID-19 pandemic and to those who wish to help.
  • COVID-19 FAQs for Businesses and Workers
    Coronavirus information from the Missouri Department of Labor. Includes information about unemployment compensation, worker’s compensation and discrimination.
  • Get Help (COVID-19)
    The City of Columbia and Boone County are coordinating the community’s mass care and human services response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Here you can find up to date information about social service and healthcare resources for residents of Boone County.
  • Missouri State Assistance for Housing Relief (SAFHR) Mortgage Assistance
    Information for Missouri homeowners struggling to make their mortgage payments due to COVID-19
  • Relief for Renters
    A number of resources for individuals struggling with housing due to COVID. The CDC eviction moratorium expired on August 26th, 2021.
  • Small Business Guidance & Loan Resources
    COVID-19 resources from the Small Business Administration.
  • Student Loan Forbearance
    Information on this program that was in place to provide relief to student loan borrowers during the COVID-19 national emergency, federal student loan borrowers can be placed in an administrative forbearance, which allows you to temporarily stop making your monthly loan payment. The U.S. Department of Education’s COVID-19 relief for student loans ended in 2023. Student loan interest resumed on Sept. 1, 2023 with payments due starting in October 2023.
  • Tax Relief
    Special section of the IRS website focused on steps to help taxpayers, businesses and others affected by the coronavirus.
  • Third Economic Impact Payments
    Statement from IRS regarding the third economic impact payments