Two gorillas at the San Diego Zoo have tested positive for COVID-19, Gavin Newsom says

Two gorillas at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park have tested positive for COVID-19, California Gov. Gavin Newsom announced during a press conference on Monday.

“Two that have been tested positive, we have another that’s symptomatic,” Newsom said.

The Democratic governor said that the news of the infected gorillas, which may have occurred as a result of the first global human-to-animal transfer, was a source of fascination in his household Monday morning.

“As I say often to all of you, what tends to resonate in my house I want to make public to you in real time and that’s the update in terms of the status of these gorillas in the San Diego Zoo,” Newsom said.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the first case of an animal in the U.S. testing positive for COVID-19 was a tiger at a New York zoo.

Other animals recorded as testing positive for the virus include dogs, cats, lions, pumas, snow leopards and mink.

The gorillas likely were infected by a member of the zoo’s wildlife care team, who has tested positive but has been asymptomatic, according to the a statement from the zoo.

“Aside from some congestion and coughing, the gorillas are doing well,” safari park executive director Lisa Peterson said in a statement. “The troop remains quarantined together and are eating and drinking. We are hopeful for a full recovery.”

This is the first known natural transmission of COVID-19 to a great ape, and it is unknown whether they will have a serious reaction, according to the statement from the zoo.

Among the apes to test positive for COVID-19 was Winston, a 48-year-old western lowland gorilla who is the oldest gorilla in the park, according to KUSI News.

This story was originally published January 11, 2021 at 12:50 PM.