Dogs, cats, and other mammals owned as pets must now officially be subjected to a 14-day quarantine after a dog, whose owner had contracted the illness, was found to have "low levels" of the coronavirus.
The dog tested "weak positive" for the COVID-19 virus.
"The nasal and oral cavity samples were tested weak positive to COVID-19 virus," read a statement for Hong Kong's agriculture department. "The dog does not have any relevant symptoms."
Regardless of the preliminary test results found from the dog, there is no existing evidence that suggests pets are capable of infecting humans with the virus. The department will continue with testing to determine whether the dog has actually been infected with the virus or if the positive result was due to "environmental contamination" of its nose and mouth.
Currently, the international death toll for those who contracted the virus has amounted to over 2,800, and more than 83,000 cases of the coronavirus have been confirmed in over 50 countries.
Despite this, experts claim that it's highly unlikely that domestic pets like dogs and cats are susceptible to the coronavirus; few viruses are able to jump between multiple species.