CVS and Walgreens warn coronavirus outbreak may lead to shortage of hand sanitizer

Increased demand for hand sanitizer amid the coronavirus outbreak may lead toa shortage of the products at CVS and Walgreens, according to CNN.

“This demand may cause temporary shortages at some store locations and we re-supply those stores as quickly as possible,” a CVS spokesperson told CNN.

Multiple brands of hand sanitizer were listed as out of stock online on Friday at Walgreens and CVS.

Sales of hand sanitizer in the US increased 428 percent for the week of January 25 compared to sales during the same week last year, Business Insider reported, citing Nielsen data.

Hospitals and medical companies have also reported a face mask shortage, according to The Wall Street Journal.

The Food and Drug Administration said coronavirus has led to at least one drug shortage because of the unavailability of the active ingredients, The Los Angeles Times reported.

The virus has killed over 2,800 people worldwide and infected more than 83,000 people in over 50 countries, according to CBS News. None of the deaths have occurred in the United States.

The World Health Organization upgraded the coronavirus risk on Friday to “very high,” CBS reported.

Among the preventative measures recommended by health officials: Wash your hands often, with soap and water.

This story was originally published February 28, 2020 at 4:51 PM with the headline "CVS and Walgreens warn coronavirus outbreak may lead to shortage of hand sanitizer."