Monkeys Snatch Samples, Trigger False COVID-19 Fear

MEERUT: A video clip on social media showing a band of monkeys with samples snatched from a lab technician triggered a false alarm over coronavirus. Some thought the samples being taken to Meerut medical college were from suspected COVID-19 patients, and could infect the monkeys and then people.

In the video clip which went viral showed a troop of monkeys snatching three samples from the hands of a lab technician. The technician was taking the samples to the LLRM laboratory at the medical college.

It also shows the monkeys sitting on a tree and chewing the sample collection kits.

A news agency reported that the blood samples being taken to the medical college turned out to be of patients suffering from diabetes and other ailments.

Meerut medical college principal S K Garg told the news agency on Friday that the samples taken away by the simians were not meant for COVID-19 testing. He said the samples were of patients affected by diabetes and other ailments.

Garg said there is no need to panic, adding the samples were taken again.

However, it must also be noted that Garg was quoted by Reuters as saying, "Monkeys grabbed and fled with the blood samples of four COVID-19 patients who are undergoing treatment ... we had to take their blood samples again."

Watch the video here:

Meerut: Monkey run away with #corona test samples, locals fear spread of infection. #IndiaFightsCoronavirus pic.twitter.com/Mpe9tuR3H6

— Sanjay Jha (@JhaSanjay07) May 29, 2020