Coronavirus Impact: Chennai runs short for surgical masks as raise in demand

As coronavirus panic grips the city, many medical supply stores have run out of surgical masks while N95 masks too are expected to be sold out soon. 

Vendors of many pharmaceutical companies said that the demand for masks spiked five-fold in the past few days. 

‘‘We have zero surgical masks now and the new stock may not come for at least one week,’’ said a vendor at Welcome Surgical Co in Chintadripet. 

The vendor said that more than a thousand masks have been sold in the past two days and no further notice on new stocks has come. 

Similarly, a vendor with Madan Surgical Corporation in Anna Salai said surgical masks were completely out of stock while



the N95 masks were available but in fewer numbers. ‘‘The N95 masks too may get sold out by the night,’’ he said. 

The prices of these masks too have gone up.

The World Health Organisation recommends that people wear a mask only when they are taking care of a person infected with the coronavirus. 

The WHO recommendation advises people to sanitize their hands before wearing and after removing the mask. When the mask is damp, remove it immediately and drop it in a closed bin.

It is important to make sure there is no gap between your mouth and the mask, advises the WHO, adding that you should keep a one-metre distance from people who sneeze or cough continuously.