Digital Exclusives and Features

City of Columbia ‘stay home’ ordinance now in effect

COLUMBIA, SC (WOLO)–Starting Sunday Columbia residents are being asked to ‘stay home and stay safe’. Thursday the Columbia City Council passed the stay home, stay safe ordinance. According to the measure, effective 12:01 a.m. Sunday, March 29, 2020 people are asked to stay in their homes and not travel through or congregate in the streets, sidewalks, waterways and public spaces…

SC Department of Health offers resources online for Coronavirus

Check out the The South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control website

COLUMBIA, SC (WOLO)– If you are looking for a resource on the Coronavirus and updates on state cases, you can check out The South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control website. The site is a resource for COVID-19. Below are some links: DHEC’s COVID-19 county map provides the number of cases by county and is updated daily. https://scdhec.gov/infectious-diseases/viruses/coronavirus-disease-2019-covid-19 Several South Carolina…

Brightening seniors spirit through song during coronavirus outbreak

Senior citizens are in many cases being kept out of general population during the outbreak, but one group is lifting their spirits

(CNN) — Seniors are among the most vulnerable when it comes to coronavirus (COVID-19), but one group is Missouri is not letting that stop them from brightening their spirits with a song. Emily Rittman has their story. Categories: Digital Exclusives and Features

SC DMV: REAL ID deadline extended amid coronavirus pandemic

Enforcement date of the Federal REAL ID Act of 2005 extended from October 1, 2020 to October 1, 2021

COLUMBIA, SC (WOLO)–If you have not yet applied for the REAL ID, you now have more time. The South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles announced that the Department of Homeland Security  would extend the enforcement date of the Federal REAL ID Act of 2005 from October 1, 2020 to October 1, 2021. In a release, South Carolina Department of Motor…

Prisma Health suspends COVID-19 related patient payments

patients getting COVID-19 related services through Prisma will no longer require payments

Prisma Health-image courtesy Prisma Health news release Columbia, SC (WOLO) — Prisma Health announces changes to statements and billing during the COVID-19 global pandemic. Prisma Health officials have suspended all COVID-19 related patient payments. A spokesperson for the facility says they made the change to make sure anyone in need of health care will be able to have access so…

SC Governor Henry McMaster: I have great faith in the people of our state

At this time there is no 'shelter in place'

COLUMBIA, SC (WOLO)– Thursday South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster addressed the state with a Coronavirus update. McMaster says at this time, there is no ‘shelter in place’. The Governor went on to say, if and only if, it becomes necessary to take those steps. And they will know based on data. McMaster says he has “great faith in the people…

Need delivery or curbside ideas? Check out our ‘We’re Open” section

COLUMBIA, SC (WOLO)– With all South Carolina restaurants and bars closed for dine-in during the coronavirus pandemic, many restaurants are operating on a to-go only model. So how do you know where to order take out from? To help you out, we here at ABC Columbia have added a “We’re Open” link on our web site. https://www.abccolumbia.com/were-open-find-local-businesses/ In this link you…

Riverbanks Zoo to remain closed to the public through April 30

COLUMBIA, SC (WOLO)- Riverbanks Zoo and Garden announced Tuesday, that it will remain closed to the public through April 30. Zoo officials say they are following guidelines from state and federal leaders to encourage social distancing and help slow the spread of coronavirus in the community.  The animals and plants at Riverbanks continue to receive the highest standards of care…

Pope Francis invites world to join unison prayer during outbreak

The Pope is asking for people to join in a united prayer around the world over COVID-19 starting at 7AM Wednesday

Pope Francis Dublin, Ireland, Aug. 25, 2018. Clodagh Kilcoyne/Reuters Rome (WOLO) — As the numbers of coronavirus (COVID-19) patients continues to grow around the world and here in South Carolina Pope Francis is extending an invitation to anyone of faith around the world to join him in prayer. Starting Wednesday morning March 25th, 2020 at 7AM, people around the world…

Medical Minute: The scientific link between self isolation and your cravings

There may be a scientific reason those in self isolation during the COVID-19 outbreak are experiencing cravings

(CNN) — If you are one of the people across the world that have been ordered to shelter in place during the COVID-19 global pandemic then you may be experiencing some side effects. Are you losing sleep,  or maybe even craving carbs? Well, you are not alone. There’s a scientific reason self isolation may be affecting your health. Mandy Gaither…