First ever dog to catch corona virus DIES after it had been declared disease-free in Hong Kong.

First ever dog to catch corona virus DIES after it had been declared disease-free in Hong Kong.

The canine had tested 'weak positive' in five nasal and oral analyses last month. However, in two tests taken on March 12 and 13, the pet tested negative and had been allowed to return home.

19 last month, had been quarantined at a government facility but returned home over the weekend.

A spokesman for Hong Kong's Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) told the South China Morning Post: 'The department learned from the dog's owner that it had gave up the ghost on March 16. The owner said she wasn't willing to [allow] an autopsy to look at the explanation for death.'

The dog's owner has been named locally as 60-year-old businesswoman Yvonne Chow Hau Yee. She was infected at the top of February and hospitalized. She recovered and returned home on March 8.

Hongkonger Yvonne Chow Hau Yee, pictured in an undated photo, is believed to be the owner of the dog that has contracted the virus

The AFCD previously stated that the genetic make-up of the virus found in Ms. Chow Hau Yee and therefore the dog was highly similar.

'The [gene] sequence results indicate that the virus likely spread from the infected persons and subsequently infected the dog,' the department said during a statement.

The World Health Organization said previously that the dog is that the only known canine to possess contracted the killer disease.

The WHO said: 'While there has been one instance of a dog being infected in Hong Kong , to date, there's no evidence that a dog, cat or any pet can transmit CO V ID - 19.

'CO V ID- 19 is especially spread through droplets produced when an infected person coughs, sneezes, or speaks. to guard yourself, clean your hands frequently and thoroughly.'

A man takes photos of dogs wearing masks during a stroller in Shanghai. All pets of individuals in Hong Kong infected with the corona virus are going to be quarantined for 14 days, starting Friday. Two dogs are already in isolation

However, variety of other dogs were earlier this month quarantined by authorities in Hong Kong , as owners are seen putting masks over their pet's faces in China.

The other dog in quarantine belongs to a second corona virus patient that tested negative for the virus once and can be tested again before its release.

Authorities said it'll still closely monitor the Pomeranian and return it to its owner when it tests negative for the disease.

The financial hub has confirmed 167 cases of the new corona virus in humans and a complete of 4 deaths.