There is no reason to think that any animals, including shelter or rescue pets, in the United States, might be a source of COVID-19. The virus that causes COVID-19 spreads mainly from person to person, typically through respiratory droplets from coughing, sneezing, or talking.

We are still learning about this virus, but it appears that it can spread from people to animals in some situations, especially after close contact with a person sick with COVID-19. We know that cats, dogs, and a few other types of animals can be infected with SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, but we don’t yet know all of the animals that can get infected. There have been reports of animals being infected with the virus worldwide. Currently, there is no evidence that animals play a significant role in the spread of SARS-CoV-2 to people.

• Simple steps that pet stores, pet distribution facilities, and breeding facilities can take to reduce the risk of SARS-CoV-2 spreading in facilities include the following: ○ Encouraging workers to stay home if they are sick ○ Encouraging people within the facility to wear masks and practice hand hygiene ○ Increasing the distance between workers, customers, or visitors, and animals within the facility ○ Regular cleaning and disinfection of frequently touched surfaces.

At this time, there is no evidence that companion animals, including pets and service animals, can spread the virus that causes COVID-19. As with any animal introduced to a new environment, animals recently imported should be observed daily for signs of illness.

CDC recommends that Americans stay six feet away from people who don’t live in their households to avoid transmitting the new coronavirus to others. As such, experts also recommend against shaking hands, kissing, and giving and receiving hugs.

People who wear contact lenses tend to touch their face more than people who wear glasses. We know that the risk of viral transmission is higher when touching your face, and that includes touching the eye. Although the membranes of the eye surface—the cornea and conjunctiva—are very strong, if there are viral particles on your hand and you touch your eye, you could become infected with the virus. However, for an isolated eye exposure to cause a full-blown respiratory tract infection remains to be seen, and would be a very difficult question to study.

COVID-19 is believed to spread mainly from person-to-person between people who are in close contact (within about 6 feet) with one another and through respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes. It also may be possible that a person can get COVID-19 by touching a surface or object that has the virus on it and then touching their own mouth, nose, or eyes, but this is not thought to be the main way the virus spreads.

Current evidence suggests that breast milk isn’t likely to spread the virus to babies. You, along with your family and healthcare providers, should decide whether and how to start or continue breastfeeding. Breast milk provides protection against many illnesses and is the best source of nutrition for most babies.

COVID-19 is uncommon in newborns born to mothers who had COVID-19 during pregnancy. Some newborns have tested positive for COVID-19 shortly after birth. It is unknown if these newborns got the virus before, during, or after birth. Most newborns who tested positive for COVID-19 had mild or no symptoms and recovered.

People with moderate to severe asthma may be at higher risk of getting very sick from COVID-19. COVID-19 can affect your nose, throat, lungs (respiratory tract); cause an asthma attack; and possibly lead to pneumonia and acute respiratory disease.

Strep throat is a bacterial infection caused by group A Streptococcus bacteria. COVID-19, on the other hand, is a respiratory virus caused by the 2019 novel coronavirus (also referred to as “severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2” or “SARS-CoV-2”).