A PHARMACY in the city is struggling to cope with demand for protective face masks as fears rise over coronavirus.

Staff at Kitsons Pharmacy said they had sold out of the surgical masks amid a nationwide shortage and would be rationing any further sales to five masks per family.

The virus, which originated in China, has arrived in the UK - although only two cases have been confirmed.

A spokeswoman for Kitsons, in Broad Street, Worcester, said: “Before the news on the coronavirus, we stocked a handful of masks as there wasn’t a massive demand.

READ MORE: No new UK coronavirus patients says NHS, after video sparks fears of Worcester case

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“We’ve sold out, 50 masks in just three days, and we are waiting on shipments to arrive this week to restock our shelves but the restock will be very limited. “We want everyone to have a fair chance of getting a mask, so we will be rationing five masks per family and they cannot be reserved so it’s a case of first come, first served I’m afraid.

“The Government’s advice on frequent hand washing is a really good point.”

We reported on Tuesday about concerns sparked by a social media video, showing a man leaving the back of an ambulance at Worcestershire Royal Hospital, wearing a protective suit.

Another woman, wearing a disposable apron and face shield, holds open an orange bag but the video ends before the purpose of the bag can be determined.

Written over the 25-second video by the person filming is the caption: “Hazmat [hazardous material] suits at Worcester hospital.

“They’ve blocked people from going anywhere near it.”

It is not known when the video was taken.

Two women from Worcestershire have also “self-quarantined” after returning from China.

A statement from Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust said: “All of our services are operating as usual and patients should not be concerned. “If you have a hospital appointment, please attend this as planned.”