Monkeys snatch blood samples of Covid-19 patients in Meerut Medical College

In a bizarre incident in UP's Meerut, a troop of monkeys reportedly fled after snatching three coronavirus test samples of patients. Locals are scared about the spread of COVID-19 as the monkeys carried the test samples to nearby residential areas.

Meerut (UP): Panic gripped in Uttar Pradesh’s Meerut on Friday after monkeys reportedly attacked a laboratory technician of Meerut Medical College and ran away after snatching three blood samples of suspected COVID-19 patients.

The news surfaced when the video went viral, which showed one of the monkeys chewing the sample collection kits on top of a tree.

But now, residents are scared that the 'nowhere to be found' monkeys could only increase the chance of transmission of the virus to humans in the area.

Speaking to ETV Bharat, Dr SK Garg, Principal at the Meerut Medical College, said, "The incident happened two days ago and was reported on Thursday after a video went viral. These samples were not 'coronavirus tests', instead they were blood samples of COVID-19 suspect patients."

"Coronavirus samples are stored and transported in cold chain boxes, not in the open. There is no danger of any kind. Second samples of the patients were taken and sent for examination. The samples have been asked to be taken with tight security so that no such incident happens again," Dr Garg said.