Monkeys steal coronavirus samples after attacking lab technician in India

A gang of monkeys attacked a laboratory assistant and escaped with a batch of coronavirus blood test samples, it has been reported.

The bizarre incident saw the troop of primates launch their assault near Meerut Medical College in Delhi, India.

The group managed to snatch the blood samples of four patients, who have tested positive for Covid-19, before fleeing. 

According to local media, the animals then snatched COVID-19 blood test samples that had been taken from three patients and fled.

One of the monkeys was later spotted in a tree chewing one of the sample collection kits, the Times of India reported - adding that test samples from the patients had to be taken again.

The undamaged kits were later recovered, the Meerut medical college superintendent, Dheeraj Raj, told AFP.

He added: 

They were still intact and we don't think there is any risk of contamination or spread.

It is the latest example of the highly intelligent, red-faced rhesus macaques taking advantage of India's nationwide lockdown to combat the spread of coronavirus.