The first reported case of a confirmed SARS-CoV-2 positive dog in North Carolina has been reported. SARS-CoV-2 is the virus that causes COVID-19 in humans. (Video above: Study looks for coronavirus in pets)The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services said a client arrived on Monday, Aug. 3 at the NC State Veterinary Hospital with their dog who was demonstrating signs of respiratory distress.The dog died. The client alerted staff that a member of the family had previously tested positive for COVID-19 and later was tested negative, the NCDHHS said. Tests indicated a confirmed SARS-CoV-2 case.A necropsy was performed to try to determine the animal’s state of health at the time of death and the cause of death, and the complete investigation is ongoing. “Based on the information available, the risk of animals spreading the virus to people is considered to be low,” said Dr. Carl Williams, State Public Health Veterinarian.If pet owners are concerned about the health of their dog, they should contact their veterinarian and discuss the dog’s symptoms before bringing them to the veterinarian office. Additional information regarding SARS-CoV-2 and animals is available from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/daily-life-coping/animals.html.According to the CDC and the United States Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (USDA-APHIS), there is currently no evidence that pets play a significant role in spreading the SARS-CoV-2 virus.“There is no indication at this time that dogs can transmit the virus to other animals, so there is no justification in taking measures against companion animals that may compromise their welfare,” said State Veterinarian Dr. Doug Meckes.