Theresa国际传媒檚 a hot new product flying off the shelves in Kelowna.

And itsa国际传媒檚 being diagnosed by some as a common case of mass hysteria.

sa国际传媒淲e are all sold out of masks; wesa国际传媒檝e been sold out since Friday,sa国际传媒� said Laurie Robinson, assistant manager of Kelownasa国际传媒檚 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.

sa国际传媒淧eople are just overreacting,sa国际传媒� said Robinson. sa国际传媒淚tsa国际传媒檚 like SARS 2.0.sa国际传媒�

While donning a surgical mask may make some people feel more protected from the virus, Robinson said itsa国际传媒檚 not going to reduce your likelihood of contracting the virus.

sa国际传媒淚tsa国际传媒檚 washing your hands; itsa国际传媒檚 covering your nose and mouth; staying away from people who are sick; you know, normal infection control stuff,sa国际传媒� she said. sa国际传媒�(Wearing a mask) really doesnsa国际传媒檛 help anybody who is healthy. Theysa国际传媒檙e for people who are sick.sa国际传媒�

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.

sa国际传媒淭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,sa国际传媒� 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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