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First ever dog to catch coronavirus DIES after it had been declared disease-free and returned home from quarantine in Hong Kong

Pomeranian was quarantined last month but returned home over the weekend

The 17-year-old dog had tested negative within the two most up-to-date tests administered

But Hong Kong officials confirmed today the dog had died on Monday

Owner Yvonne Chow Hau Yee, 60, caught COVID-19 last month but recovered

The first dog within the world to catch coronavirus has died in Hong Kong after it had been declared disease-free and returned home to its owner.

The 17-year-old Pomeranian, whose owner contracted COVID-19 last month, had been quarantined at a government facility but returned home over the weekend.

A spokesman for Hong Kong's Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) told the South China Morning Post: 'The department learned from the dog's owner that it had gave up the ghost on March 16. The owner said she wasn't willing to [allow] an autopsy to look at the explanation for death.'

The canine had tested 'weak positive' in five nasal and oral analyses last month. However, in two tests taken on March 12 and 13 the pet tested negative and had been allowed to return home.

The dog's owner has been named locally as 60-year-old businesswoman Yvonne Chow Hau Yee. She was infected at the top of February and hospitalised. She recovered and returned home on March 8.

Hongkonger Yvonne Chow Hau Yee, pictured in an undated photo, is believed to be the owner of the dog that has contracted the virus

The AFCD previously stated that the genetic make-up of the virus found in Ms Chow Hau Yee and therefore the dog was highly similar.

'The [gene] sequence results indicate that the virus likely spread from the infected persons and subsequently infected the dog,' the department said during a statement.

The World Health Organization said previously that the dog is that the only known canine to possess contracted the killer disease.

The WHO said: 'While there has been one instance of a dog being infected in Hong Kong , to date, there's no evidence that a dog, cat or any pet can transmit COVID-19.

'COVID-19 is especially spread through droplets produced when an infected person coughs, sneezes, or speaks. to guard yourself, clean your hands frequently and thoroughly.'