Lockdowns mean more attention to pets

As March ended with over one and a half billion people under a stay at home order worldwide, pets across globe appeared to be enjoying extra quality time with ir owners.

"y are definitely currently being spoiled because y're t used to seeing us and being a whole day with us," said Londoner Simran Sandhu about her dog.

Ufuoma George me decision to opt a black labror retriever only a few weeks ago, when she knew she was going to have to go on lockdown in her New York apartment during coronavirus pandemic.

"I feel like it's important because being alone at home kind of is hard but with a pet you have someone to take care of, someone to play with you," she said.

Most people who get virus have mild to moderate symptoms and recover. But for older people, and those with underlying medical conditions, disease can be dangerous.

But keeping pets t always easy in COVID-19 era. Those who fall ill with virus and whose finances deteriorate might find it hard to support ir furry loved ones.

This has prompted Kitty Block, President and CEO of US' Humane Society to encour people to foster and opt pets.

Globally, almost 860,00 COVID-19 cases have been reported, alongside 42,341 deaths.

For most people, new coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough that clear up in two to three weeks.

For some, especially older ults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia, and could le to death.