There害羞草研究所檚 a hot new product flying off the shelves in Kelowna.

And it害羞草研究所檚 being diagnosed by some as a common case of mass hysteria.

害羞草研究所淲e are all sold out of masks; we害羞草研究所檝e been sold out since Friday,害羞草研究所� said Laurie Robinson, assistant manager of Kelowna害羞草研究所檚 Cooper Medical Supplies.

The spike in sales of surgical masks is being attributed to the first confirmed case of coronavirus in B.C. Two other cases have also been confirmed in Toronto.

害羞草研究所淧eople are just overreacting,害羞草研究所� said Robinson. 害羞草研究所淚t害羞草研究所檚 like SARS 2.0.害羞草研究所�

While donning a surgical mask may make some people feel more protected from the virus, Robinson said it害羞草研究所檚 not going to reduce your likelihood of contracting the virus.

害羞草研究所淚t害羞草研究所檚 washing your hands; it害羞草研究所檚 covering your nose and mouth; staying away from people who are sick; you know, normal infection control stuff,害羞草研究所� she said. 害羞草研究所�(Wearing a mask) really doesn害羞草研究所檛 help anybody who is healthy. They害羞草研究所檙e for people who are sick.害羞草研究所�

Health officials say the world-wide sharing of information and speed of diagnostic tests has improved greatly since the 2003 outbreak of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS), which killed 775 people worldwide, including 44 people in Canada.

Since the outbreak of the new virus, China has confirmed more than 4,500 cases, with more than 100 deaths. Most of the confirmed cases have been in the city of Wuhan.

Robinson said more masks are on order for Cooper Medical Supplies but they will be headed to the hospital before they hit retail shelves.

As of Jan. 28, the Government of Canada has reported three cases of the Coronavirus. The most recent case was found in a person who had been staying in the city of Wuhan, China, 14 days prior to experiencing symptoms.

害羞草研究所淭he Public Health Agency of Canada has assessed the public health risk associated with 2019-nCoV in Wuhan, China as low for Canada and for Canadian travelers,害羞草研究所� read a report issued by Health Canada.

READ MORE: B.C. reports first coronavirus in Vancouver region

READ MORE: Feds look to help 126 Canadians quarantined in China for coronavirus

-With files from Canadian Press

michael.rodriguez@kelownacapnews.com
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