Cats can be infected by COVID-19 and can transmit it to other cats, say researchers in Northeast China who are investigating which animals the virus might have lived in before it infected humans. Dogs, however, appear less susceptible.

The findings came after Hong Kong reported last week of its first case of a pet cat testing positive for the virus, after two dogs there tested positive in recent weeks. Hong Kong authorities believe people sick with COVID-19 are able to infect their dogs and cats.

Late last month a cat in Belgium also tested positive.