WHO tamps down concern about a coronavirus-infected dog 

The WHO has been holding regular media briefings on Covid-19 for weeks, and there's no reason to believe that the new disease affects more than people. But some of the questions yesterday went to the dogs. As in, to a pomeranian in Hong Kong that’s tested positive for the novel coronavirus. WHO officials said the dog was not showing symptoms and was doing well. They also noted that it’s common with new pathogens to see infections in animals, which can either spread the disease further or be a transmission dead-end. And while authorities shared that the pomeranian contracted the virus from its owner, “we don’t believe this is a major driver of transmission,” WHO coronavirus expert Maria Van Kerkhove said.