South Korea has reported its first confirmed case of coronavirus in a pet.

Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun said on Sunday in a government meeting that during a recent tracking process involving a mass outbreak, health authorities found that a pet has tested positive for COVID-19, the first such case in the country.

Chung urged health authorities to look into the possibility of transmissions between humans and animals and asked the Agriculture Ministry to consult with health authorities to prepare guidelines for pet owners.

The pet is reportedly a kitten at a religious facility in the southeastern city of Jinju in South Gyeongsang Province, which is blamed for a mass infection of over 100 cases, after 29 people first tested positive upon visiting the facility earlier this month.

Health authorities suspect the cat got the virus from its owners - a mother and daughter - who were staying at the facility and have both tested positive for COVID-19.  

Health Ministry official Son Young-rae said on Sunday that there have been confirmed cases of humans transmitting the virus to pets in other countries, but not the other way round.