Hand gels and face masks selling out as coronavirus concerns grow
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HAND gels and face masks have sold out in some Caithness chemists amid growing concerns about the coronavirus.
Boots in Wick and Sutherland's Pharmacy in Thurso are among shops that have been unable to keep up with local demand for these products as the number of cases in the UK was today confirmed at 90.
Six are in Scotland – two in Grampian, with one each in Tayside, Ayrshire, Forth Valley and Greater Glasgow.
Rumours have been circulating locally that a man from Wick has been tested for coronavirus after returning from Thailand. However, the far north area is not included in the figures published by the Scottish Government, which monitors the situation.
Sutherland's Pharmacy in Thurso said it had sold out of alcohol-based hand gel, although further supplies were being ordered. The store also has no face masks at present.
A spokesman for the business said: "The demand for these products is definitely higher than I have seen before. It has been noticeable over the last week and I expect it will continue to rise.
"I think people are taking sensible precautions and following government guidelines. We did have some face masks but they have all gone and we can't get hold of any at the moment."
A member of the team at Boots in Wick said the shop had sold out of hand sanitiser and she understood it had been a similar story at other stores.
"It has been noticeable in the last couple of days," she said.
The demand for these products is definitely higher than I have seen before.
Preparations are being made by the health authorities and government to deal with any possible pandemic of the virus, known as Covid-19.
Scrabster harbour is monitoring the situation ahead of the forthcoming cruise season.
Manager Sandy Mackie said: "While some Highlands and Islands ports are about to have – or have already had – their first vessel arrivals of the 2020 season, our first cruise vessel is not scheduled until early May. Accordingly, we have the benefit of learning from experience elsewhere.
"Like the rest of the country we are actively monitoring the situation and continuing to follow the relevant guidelines, advice and updates received from Department for Transport, the British Ports Association, Health Protection Scotland and Highland Council. We will continue to liaise with agencies and government as appropriate.
"There are well-established procedures that apply to the maritime sector. The master of any vessel is required by law to report on the health of crew and passengers prior to a port visit.
"If there is any issue declared, the vessel is placed into quarantine and from then there is a process which is followed according to our emergency plans."
Meanwhile, Scotland's chief medical officer, Dr Catherine Calderwood, confirmed today the total number of coronavirus cases in the country is six – up from three from Wednesday.
The patients are said to be "clinically well and receiving appropriate clinical care". She said: "Scotland is well equipped to deal with this kind of infection and we are doing everything we can to contain the virus at this stage and minimise the risk to the public."
Ms Calderwood stressed that 80 per cent of people in Scotland would have a mild form of the illness but four per cent could require hospital treatment.
There have been a total of 1250 negative test results in Scotland since the start of the outbreak. There are a reported 90,000 cases globally and 3000 deaths from the virus across the world.
