The world is facing a global emergency with the continuous spread of a novel strain of coronavirus. The World Health Organization (WHO) has already named the disease that is caused by the new novel coronavirus, COVID-19 (short for Coronavirus Disease of 2019). The virus, which can be traced all the way to the heart of Hubei province in China, has already infected tens of thousands of people all over the world, putting pressure in every continent to contain the virus and stop in from spreading in communities.

For now, only human-to-human transmission of the virus was recorded, meaning that the 2019 novel coronavirus is not expected to be contacted by animals and turn them into carriers of the highly contagious disease. If this was indeed the case, then there is higher probability that the COVID-19 can spread at a much faster rate than expected, since both humans and animals can transmit the virus from one body to another.

Dog In Hong Kong Tested ‘Weak Positive’ For Coronavirus, But Should We Be Worried?

Hong Kong has reported numerous cases of COVID-19 since December last year, and medical practitioners are working non-stop to contain the disease and perhaps develop a cure to finally end the reign of this rare virus. Recently, there was an interesting development as a dog in Hong Kong tested positive for the coronavirus. Although the animal is said to be “weak positive” since it doesn’t show any relevant symptoms of the disease, this case is highly suspect as the dog was previously owned by a Hong Kong national that suffered from the COVID-19.

In spite of these, doctors in Hong Kong said that this is not enough proof to say that animals like domesticated dogs can help spread the disease. While the family of coronavirus in general is known to infect both animals and humans, thus making animal-to-human transmission and vice-versa possible, more tests shall be performed to really say that the 2019 novel coronavirus strain is also of that kind.

In times like this, we should really be aware of the importance of handwashing as it will serve as our first line of defense against the COVID-19. Another thing that we should do is to keep our bodies healthy by eating nutritious food and avoiding any substances or practices that may weaken our immune system. Making ourselves physically fit by doing regular cardio exercises or simply buying and using a top exercise rack would be enough.