Some supplies running low as coronavirus fears grow
Natalia Goodwin | CBC News | Posted: March 4, 2020 9:00 AM | Last Updated: March 4, 2020
Shelves at some stores bare as residents heed warning to be prepared
As public health officials warn it's only a matter of time before Ottawa sees its first confirmed case of COVID-19, some supplies are already running low as people stock up their cupboards.
By Tuesday, there were 29 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Canada including 20 in Ontario and one in Quebec, and health officials were warning the public to be prepared.
"You have to think about your basic needs for yourself for your family," said Paola Parenti, Ottawa's emergency management program coordinator.
In the event of self-isolation or quarantine, people should have enough food, water and anything else they'd store in an emergency kit to keep themselves and their families safe and warm, Parenti said.
"Hand sanitizers, Kleenex, wet wipes to wipe stuff down, extra food, especially the non-perishable foods, or if you have a big freezer you can make stuff ahead of time and put it in your freezer," she said.
Parenti said people should also come up with a communication plan, and figure out who could drop things off in the event they're stuck at home.
Meanwhile at local stores, certain items are already in short supply.
Some stores, including Brisson Pharmacy in the ByWard Market, are rationing hand sanitizer from behind the counter.
"People ask for it and we make sure that we provide them with a limited quantity, just because we have only limited stock available and we'd like to distribute that fairly among people," said co-owner Sara Azad.
Azad said her store is currently out of face masks, and she can't order any more.
Meanwhile, she's encouraging customers not to panic and keep washing their hands.
"Something as simple as that could make a big difference, I think."