Monkeys Snatch Covid-19 Samples From Meerut Lab Technician

In the past five months, 2020 has given us headlines that are either heartbreaking or absolutely bizarre. There really is no in-between. And it seems like the year has enough room to squeeze in some monkey business too, quite literally.

2020 Yesterday: Ha, these humans are never getting over this crazy isht.

2020 Today: Hold my beer

— Jack’s complete lack of surprise (@JonTheTerrible) May 29, 2020

As the nation continues to remain under lockdown in view of the Covid-19 pandemic, scientists have been hard at work for months, trying to crack an antidote to the deadly virus. However, in Uttar Pradesh’s Meerut a troop of monkeys decided to take matters into their own hands. On Friday, May 29, a lab technician said to be carrying test samples of three Covid-19 suspected patients was attacked by a group of monkeys. The primates then snatched the test samples and fled the scene.

The troublesome incident, which took place on the premises of Meerut Medical College, has caused much panic and distress among the locals.

#Breaking | Bizarre incident in Meerut: Monkeys run away with Corona test samples, locals fear spread of infection. pic.twitter.com/1lTloCjPDG

— TIMES NOW (@TimesNow) May 29, 2020

In a now viral video, to make matters worse, one of the monkeys was later spotted perched on a tree chewing on the sample collection kits. Some parts of the stolen kits were also seen scattered below the tree.

However, when approached by the media, Meerut district magistrate Anil Dhingra denied having come across any such video but assured that the authorities would look into the matter. On the other hand, locals fear that the unexpected turn of events could lead to further spread of the coronavirus as the monkeys are said to have carried the samples to surrounding residential areas.

Online, people have voiced their disappointment towards the technician’s irresponsibility.

OMG ! utter carelessness of handling covid samples

— harryruben (@harryruben8) May 29, 2020

But the rather odd and amusing situation has left many wondering, “What the hell just happened here?”

WTF?

— Fifis4AMLO (@Fifis4AMLO) May 29, 2020

Expect the unexpected.

2020 is a whole tragicomedy we didn’t see coming.

Year 2020 is full of tragedies and comedy 🤣

— Bala (@Bala_0120) May 29, 2020

Since the lockdown, over the last 2-3 months, there have been recurring instances of monkeys causing chaos in urban areas. This particular incident, however, is a cause for concern as monkeys supposedly are not immune to the novel coronavirus, and could contract the infection.

The biggest threat is if the samples are positive it will infect not only the monkeys who ran away with the samples but through them lot more animals and even humans will get infected.

— Suraj (@Suraj_Phoenix25) May 29, 2020

To sci-fi lovers, this could be the start of The Rise of The Planet of The Apes.