Coronavirus dog in HK dies 2 days after release

A pet dog that tested "weak positive" several times for coronavirus died on Monday, two days after its release, local media reported, citing the dog's owner.

The dog was released on Saturday after finally testing negative for the virus.

Its owner has rejected a necropsy to ascertain the cause of death.

Hong Kong's Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) said three tests were conducted on the dog in February and March, all showing a "low-level" infection of coronavirus.

The animal never displayed any virus-related symptoms.

The AFCD said in a statement last week that the results "indicate that the virus likely spread from the infected persons and subsequently infected the dog."

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Pet dog tests positive for 'low-level' of novel coronavirus in HKSAR, likely to be human-to-animal transmission