World's 1st pet dog infected with COVID-19, Tweeple react

A media report is doing the rounds on social media which stated that a pomeranian has been diagnosed with coronavirus after getting infected by its owner in Hong Kong.

The post was shared on Twitter by one of the leading media outlets in China with the caption, "World`s 1st pet dog infected with #COVID19 has been confirmed in #HongKong, a Pomeranian tested `weak positive` three times, local health official said Wed, raising concerns of human-to-animal transmission."

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The authorities have quarantined the pet dog after its nasal and oral samples tested "weak positive" three times for the virus, a media report said.

As the news came out in the public domain, social media was abuzz with reactions. A user wrote, "I have a hard time believing this. Where is the evidence?"

Another wrote, "Could be a carrier only, transmission is unknown from what I`ve read so far."

A post read, "Dogs have the vaccine."

"Don`t get rid of your pets, people! They are family! If you are really worried, just give their paws a quick wipe after walking or something," a user remarked.

14 Italians with COVID-19 admitted in Gurugram's Medanta

The group of 14 Italian tourists who travelled across three states at least before arriving from Rajasthan to New Delhi and tested positive for COVID-19 has been sent to the Medanta hospital here in Haryana.

The hospital issued a statement late on Wednesday that said: "Medanta has received, at the special request of the government, 14 asymptomatic persons suspected to have COVID-19.

"These patients are housed on a completely separate floor, in an isolated quarantine floor, with no contact with the rest of the hospital. There is a dedicated medical team wearing protective gear looking after these patients.

"All items used on the floor are isolated to that floor. The isolated floor will completely contain the disease even with these asymptomatic persons. All other hospital operations are operating as normal, and there is no increased risk to patients, visitors or staff."

The group reportedly travelled parts of Haryana in Hisar, Agra in Uttar Pradesh and the Rajasthan capital.

Rajasthan Health Minister Raghu Sharma said on Wednesday, around 215 people came in contact with the 23-member Italian tourists` group, which visited six districts between February 21 and February 29.