Pets Keep Their Owners Company During Coronavirus Self-Quarantine

Animals can be seen keeping their owners in the company during coronavirus self-quarantine. A study has found that pet cats and dogs cannot pass the new coronavirus on to humans, but they can test positive for low levels of the pathogen if they catch it from their owners. (Image: AP)

A traveller and her pet wait to register for a flight home at La Aurora international airport in Guatemala City. (Image: AP)

A man pets a dog that sits in a window downtown Prague, Czech Republic. The Czech government extended its strict restrictions on movement and other activities until at least April 1, in efforts to contain the outbreak of the new coronavirus. (Image: AP)

Frankie Keenan pets his family's dog, Rosie, at his home in San Francisco. California's Bay Area has been shut down for more than a week, the first region of America to order its residents to stay home, work remotely and homeschool their children in a desperate bid to slow the spread of the coronavirus pandemic. (Image: AP)

A group of about 25 people, including members of the Alliance of Therapy Dogs and family members of residents, marched around Bright Leaf Senior Living, in Danville, Va., which has been closed to visitors for several weeks in an effort to curb the spread of COVID-19. (Image: AP)

Scientists suspect the virus known as SARS-CoV-2 that causes the disease originated in bats before passing it on to another species, possibly a small wild mammal, that passed it on to humans. (Image: AP)

However, experts from the School of Public Health of The University of Hong Kong, the College of Veterinary Medicine and Life Sciences of the City University of Hong Kong and the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) have unanimously agreed that the dog has a low level of infection and it is “likely to be a case of human-to-animal transmission." (Image: AP)

The dog, and another also in quarantine which has tested negative for the virus, will be tested again before being released. The department suggested any pets, including dogs and cats, from households where someone has tested positive for the virus should be put into quarantine. (Image: AP)

In general, pet owners should maintain good hygiene, including washing hands before and after handling animals, their food and supplies and no kissing them. People who are sick should avoid contact with pets and a veterinarian's advice should be sought if changes in a pet's health conditions are detected. (Image: AP)

A man wearing a face mask looks at dogs at a pet shop in Hong Kong. Pet cats and dogs cannot pass the new coronavirus to humans, but they can test positive for low levels of the pathogen if they catch it from their owner. (Image: AP)

Democratic presidential candidate Mike Bloomberg speaks with Robin Ross and pets her dog, Ace, after speaking at a concert venue in Memphis, Tenn. Bloomberg criticized President Donald Trump's response to the coronavirus situation and touted his own accomplishments as New York mayor. (Image: AP)