A dog has been placed in quarantine after possibly catching coronavirus from its owner.

The Pomeranian was diagnosed with the Covid-19 strain of the disease after undergoing rectal, oral and nasal tests.

The pooch's owner Yvonne Chow Hau Yee had taken her dog to a vet in the Happy Valley area of Hong Kong after she test positive for the strain.

While the animal had not shown any symptoms and had only tested weak positive to coronavirus, it was placed in isolation.

The dog will remain there for 14 days.

Yvonne has also tested positive for Covid-19.

Officials at the country's Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department said it "does not have evidence that pet animals can be infected with Covid-19 virus or can be a source of infection to people."

According to dimsumdaily, the Pomeranian is the only dog at the quarantine facility at Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge.

It is believed this is the first case of a pet catching the virus.

Pet owners in Hong Kong have been urged to wear masks when going out.

If their pets experience a change in health, the AFCD said, then they should go to the vets.

Yesterday the World Health Organisation declared the outbreak of COVID-19 to be a Public Health Emergency of International Concern.

(Image: SALVATORE DI NOLFI/EPA-EFE/REX)

In a statement the organisation said: "Tourism’s response needs to be measured and consistent, proportionate to the public health threat and based on local risk assessment, involving every part of the tourism value chain – public bodies, private companies and tourists, in line with WHO’s overall guidance and recommendations."

As more and more human cases of coronavirus are reported across the world, fear about the disease is growing.

To help put your fears to rest, the NHS has provided helpful information about attending places with large crowds.

(Image: AFP via Getty Images)

On its website, the NHS has a handy list of people who should avoid these events - and it's good news if you've not been travelling in recent weeks.

It explained: “The only people who need to stay away from public places are people who have been:

- to Hubei province in China in the last 14 days

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- to Iran, areas of northern Italy in lockdown or "special care zone" areas in South Korea since 19 February

- to other parts of mainland China, Thailand, Japan, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Singapore, Malaysia or Macau in the last 14 days and have a cough, high temperature or shortness of breath

- to other parts of northern Italy (anywhere north of Pisa, Florence and Rimini), Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos or Myanmar since 19 February and have a cough, high temperature or shortness of breath

- in close contact with someone with confirmed coronavirus

“Otherwise, you should continue to go to work or school as normal.”