Monkey robs Indian health worker and steals coronavirus samples

Blood samples from patients who tested positive for the coronavirus have been stolen by a group of monkeys in India, after they snatched them from a medical worker.

A Rhesus macaque grimaces as he hangs from a fence near the North Block area of New Delhi, India Source: AP

A male medical worker in the Indian town of Meerut, near the capital New Delhi, has been attacked by a group of monkeys, who then snatched and run away with the coronavirus blood samples he was testing.

Primates in the area are renowned for stealing food and even the occasional mobile phone, however the latest robbery had authorities fearful it might cause an outbreak of the virus in the local region.

Fortunately, the blood samples have since been recovered and were not damaged in the incident as Meerut Medical College superintendent Dheeraj Raj told AFP.

"They were still intact, and we don't think there is any risk of contamination or spread," Mr Raj said.

Monkey's run through New Delhi Source: AAP

While coronavirus has been detected in animals, such as cats, there is yet to be any confirmation the disease can then be passed on to humans.

India's death toll from COVID-19 on Friday passed China's, with 175 new fatalities taking the nation’s total to 4,706.

Indian doctors wear masks and stand outside isolation wards set up for possible COVID-19 patients in Jammu, India Source: AAP Image/AP Photo/Channi Anand

The country is emerging as coronavirus hotspot having had a record number of cases in recent days, with authorities fearful India's high population density and underfunded healthcare system will result in many more deaths.  

Additional reporting: AFP