Two cats in New York have become the first pets in the United States to test positive for the new coronavirus but there is no evidence pets can spread the virus to humans, according to US health authorities, Reuters reported.

The cats, from separate areas of New York state, had mild respiratory illness and are expected to make a full recovery.

It is believed that they contracted the virus from people in their households or neighborhoods, according to the US Centres for Disease Control and Prevention.

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