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Two gorillas that were coughing at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park tested positive for the coronavirus in what is believed to be the first cases among such primates in captivity, California Gov. Gavin Newsom said Monday. Other gorillas at the zoo are asymptomatic.

Newsom said in his regular press briefing that the zoo is investigating the situation.

"There’s some question of whether it was human-to-animal transmission," said Newsom, noting that he respects the scientific process underway to find more information. "It’s an area that has long been a concern, human-to-animal transmission."

The park’s executive director, Lisa Peterson, told The Associated Press on Monday that eight gorillas living together at the park are believed to have the virus and several have been coughing.

It appears the infection came from a member of the park’s wildlife care team who also tested positive for the virus but has been asymptomatic. Veterinarians are closely monitoring the gorillas who will remain in their habitat at the park, north of San Diego, Peterson said.