Update 6/1/2020: Michigan has 57,397 confirmed COVID-19 cases and 5,491 deaths from the disease. Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has also lifted her stay-at-home order.

Update 5/18/2020: As reported by the Detroit Free Press, there are 51,142 confirmed COVID-19 cases in Michigan. 4,891 people have died from the disease in the state.

Update 4/28/2020: Crain’s Detroit reports that the total number of positive novel coronavirus cases in Michigan stands at 39,262. The death toll in the state is now at 3,567

Update 4/16/2020: The latest update puts the COVID-19 death toll in Michigan at 2,093. The number of positive novel coronavirus cases in the state stands at 29,263.

Update 4/10/2020: The state announced on Friday that there are now 1,281 COVID-19 deaths and 22,783 confirmed cases in Michigan.

Update 4/6/2020: The current number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Michigan stands at 15,718. The total number of deaths from COVID-19 is 617.

Update 3/29/2020: As reported by WDIV, there are now 5,524 positive coronavirus cases and 132 deaths from COVID-19.

Update 3/26/2020: WXYZ reports that the total number of positive COVID-19 cases in Michigan now stands at 2,856. The death toll has also jumped to 60.

Update 3/23/2020: Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has issued a shelter-in-place order for the entire state of Michigan for the next three weeks. The total number of confirmed coronavirus cases has reached 1,328. There are now 15 deaths related to COVID-19 in Michigan.

Update 3/22/2020: Michigan is now the sixth highest state with 1,035 confirmed cornavirus cases. Nine people have died from COVID-19 in Michigan.

Update 3/20/2020: Michigan’s total number of confirmed novel coronavirus cases has ballooned to 559.

Update 3/19/2020: Three people have died in Michigan from the COVID-19 disease caused by the novel coronavirus. There are currently 110 confirmed coronavirus cases in the state.

Update 3/17/2020: Officials have announced the total number of confirmed novel coronavirus cases have increased to 65 for the entire state of Michigan.

Update 3/16/2020: The total number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in Michigan has skyrocketed to 53. The governor’s office has order that all restaurants and bars in the state to close starting at 3 p.m. today.

Update 3/12/2020: The total number of COVID-19 cases in Michigan has jumped to 12 according to WXYZ.

Original story below:

Two people in Southeast Michigan have tested positive for COVID-19, the novel coronavirus that has dramatically affected the world for the last several months. Gov. Gretchen Whitmer declared a state of emergency late Tuesday (March 10) after confirming two cases of coronavirus, an adult female in Oakland County and an adult male in Wayne County.

There is no evidence that pets can be infected with COVID-19 or that they can spread the novel coronavirus.

The Michigan Humane Society is proceeding with the utmost caution to protect the health of the animals in our care, our staff and the communities we serve. MHS shelters and vet clinics will continue to operate normally until further notice.

However, we are constantly monitoring the situation and taking the following safety precautions:

  • We are reevaluating all events that draw large numbers of people and are planning accordingly.
  • Janitorial services at MHS locations will increase for public spaces.
  • The April 26 Purrfect Bow Wow Brunch has been postponed to November 15, 2020
  • The May 3 Protect-a-Pet vaccination clinic at Balduck Park has been canceled.

Plan Emergencies With Pets in Mind

While widespread outbreak of COVID-19 is unlikely, it’s never too early to be prepared and have arrangements made for your pets. Designate a family member or friend to care for your pets in the event that you become ill or are required to be quarantined.

Have a carrier for each animal; label them in advance with your name, address and emergency contact numbers. Carriers should be large enough for animals to stand up, lie down and turn around comfortably. Gather emergency animal supplies (see below). Store the supplies in or near the carrier. Make sure that animals wear current visible identification (collar and identification tag) at all times. Familiarize animals with going in and out of carriers.

  • Carrier or crate (one per animal), labeled with animal’s name and your contact information.
  • 1 month supply of food in waterproof container, labeled with feeding instructions and expiration date.
  • 1-2 week supply of bottled water, labeled with expiration date.
  • Food and water bowls (lightweight, nontippable).
  • Sanitation supplies (spray cleaner, paper towels, plastic bags, hand wipes).
  • 1-2 week supply of medications in original container, labeled with instructions and dosages.
  • Copy of veterinary records, license, rabies certificate, etc., in zip-top bag.
  • Current photograph of animal with guardian • Animal description information including microchip #.
  • Optional: animal first aid kit, towel or blanket, toys, grooming items, manual can opener.

Additional Items:

Dogs:
Collar or harness with identification tag attached (have out-of-area contact information on the tag); Extra leash or lead;
Optional: muzzle, stake and tie-out.

Cats:
Litter pan to fit in carrier, cat litter and litter scoop; Harness with identification tag attached (have outof-area contact information on the tag) and lead.

Rabbits/Small Mammals:
Water bottle; Bedding material; Optional: litter pan to fit in carrier, litter, litter scoop, cage accessories, exercise equipment, nail clippers, chew sticks.

Birds:
Newspaper; Cage perch; Optional: blanket to drape cage, plant mister, slices of fresh fruit or vegetables with high water content (for access to water during transport), timed feeder, hot water bottle, leg band (for identification)

Reptiles/Amphibians:
Water bowl (large enough for soaking); Frozen fruits or vegetables, ice chest for storage, or nosalt-added canned fruits or vegetables; Cage accessories including hiding place; Suitable substrate for species (shredded newspaper, topsoil, moss, sand, paper towels, pine chips, etc.); Hay (for insulation); Optional: pillowcase (for snake transport), blanket to drape cage, heating pad or heating element appropriate to species, UVB lamp and light, plant mister, vitamins, live food, air pump or bubbler, heavy-duty extension cord, generator

Horses:
Horse blanket or sheet; Tarps; Hoof knife, nippers, and rasp; Horse trailer (or access to one); Halter (non-nylon – marked with horse name and guardian contact information), cotton lead and shank; Optional: bandanas (blindfolds), leg wraps, rope or lariat, twitch or nose lead, duct tape, heavy gloves, fly spray, Coggins test results, plastic trash barrel with lid (water storage), feed and water buckets, shavings or straw for bedding, clean-up items (pitchfork, shovel, wheelbarrow or muck bucket), bleach, wire cutters, hoof pick, knife (sharp, all-purpose)

Please use the resources below to learn how minimize your risk to COVID-19.

CDC Guidance Related to Pets

State of Michigan COVID-19 Resource Center

World Health Organization COVID-19 Resource Center

 

Photo credit: Pexels