The pet dog of a coronavirus patient in Hong Kong was confirmed to be infected with the disease, in a likely case of human-to-animal transmission.

The canine had repeatedly tested 'weak positive' for the new coronavirus since Friday, when it was quarantined at an animal centre.

The city's Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) said on Wednesday that repeated tests suggest the dog - a Pomeranian - has 'a low-level of infection'.