Town Coronavirus Update

Beyond local and statewide updates, this story will be updated with major regional, national and global information about the coronavirus. A vet tested the first house cat after it showed mild respiratory signs. None of the people in its house were confirmed to have the virus. Officials said it’s possible the cat was infected by somebody outside the home. Someone in the home — even someone who is asymptomatic — also could have tranmitted the virus.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture said in a joint statement with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention that these are the first pets in the country to test positive for the virus.

The agencies stressed that there is NO EVIDENCE that pets play a role in spreading coronavirus in the United States.

The cats each had mild respiratory symptoms and are expected to make a full recovery.