‘It won’t bite’: Covid-19 pandemic medical worker goes viral in China for testing a fish

The video was controversial, with some saying the measures were absurd and others arguing it was necessary during the outbreak

China has consistently tested animals and objects for Covid-19 during the pandemic

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A viral video in China showed a Covid-19 pandemic worker performing a PCR test on a live fish. Photo: Douyin

Published: 12:00pm, 31 Mar 2022Updated: 3:05pm, 1 Apr 2022

As the Covid-19 outbreak in Shanghai continues to worsen, authorities have moved beyond just testing humans for the virus and have begun to swab fish in seafood markets.

A video, which quickly went viral in China, showed a Covid-19 prevention worker dressed in a full white hazmat suit, goggles and gloves inserting a cotton bud into the mouth of a large fish.

The PCR test was administered on March 27, the day Shanghai began a two-step citywide lockdown in an effort to contain the virus, and it immediately sparked debate.

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Live fish ‘tested’ for Covid-19 in Shanghai food market

“It’s a waste of medical resources”, one person said, criticising the effort.

Another person joke: “Will they put the fish in quarantine in a separate water tank for 14 days if the test result is positive?”

But one supporter said: “The pandemic is severe now, and this is an effort to protect food security for the people.”

On Wednesday, Shanghai reported 5,982 new Covid-19 cases, the highest in the city during the pandemic.

‘It won’t bite’: Covid-19 pandemic medical worker goes viral in China for testing a fish

The video was controversial, with some saying the measures were absurd and others arguing it was necessary during the outbreak China has consistently tested animals and objects for Covid-19 during the pandemic

The video was controversial, with some saying the measures were absurd and others arguing it was necessary during the outbreak

China has consistently tested animals and objects for Covid-19 during the pandemic