Parts of Herefordshireshire have been hit by coronavirus-linked panic buying.

There were reports of supermarkets running out of some items today (Saturday). 

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Shopper Karra Kitty Harris said buyers had cleared the shelves of toilet roll in Asda, Hereford, at 3pm. There was none in Home Bargains too, she said.

Hereford Times: Coronavirus-linked panic buying in Morrisons in Leominster at 5.30pm on Saturday. Picture: Richard DaviesCoronavirus-linked panic buying in Morrisons in Leominster at 5.30pm on Saturday. Picture: Richard Davies

Hereford shopper Aarif Tanisha said: "There was no hand gel in Asda, and no toilet paper in Belmont Tesco. Asda don't have much toilet paper left, and I can't find paracetamol in any supermarket in Hereford."

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Craig Stephens said: "By the soap aisle today in Tesco, they were flocking round it like they have never seen it before. I’ve seen less hysteria when a new iPhone comes out."

There is no need to panic-buy. The British Retail Consortium (BRC) says UK supermarkets have "well-rehearsed contingency plans" to deal with events like the coronavirus outbreak and to make sure products are available in stores.

Hereford Times: Coronavirus-linked panic buying: empty loo roll shelves at Asda, Hereford. Picture: Bev Davies MorganCoronavirus-linked panic buying: empty loo roll shelves at Asda, Hereford. Picture: Bev Davies Morgan

Hereford Times: Coronavirus panic-buyers clear the shelves of toilet roll in Morrisons, Hereford. Picture: Karra Kitty HarrisCoronavirus panic-buyers clear the shelves of toilet roll in Morrisons, Hereford. Picture: Karra Kitty Harris

But nationally, hand sanitiser products have been selling for more than 5,000 per cent of their recommended retail price online, with bottles worth 49p selling for £24.99.

One eBay listing has seen a second-hand bottle of liquid soap sell for more than £5, despite being only three-quarters full.

An infectious disease specialist has warned against mass panic and stockpiling as infections from the Covid-19 coronavirus continue to spread across the world.

Hereford Times: Coronavirus panic buying: Waitrose, Hereford, toilet roll section at 10am today (Saturday). Picture: Kate BaileyCoronavirus panic buying: Waitrose, Hereford, toilet roll section at 10am today (Saturday). Picture: Kate Bailey

Doctor Abdu Sharkawy of the University of Toronto's Division of Infectious Disease wrote on Facebook that he was not scared of the virus, but was scared of the implications of mass panic.

He warned people to expect the virus to continue to spread, but that it would "not likely do much harm" and advised against panic.

Hereford Times: Coronavirus panic buying: Morrisons, Hereford, soap aisle. Picture: Anna GreenCoronavirus panic buying: Morrisons, Hereford, soap aisle. Picture: Anna Green

More than 200 people have now tested positive for coronavirus in the UK, the Department of Health has said.

In total, 206 people had tested positive for Covid-19 as of 7am on Saturday, a rise of 42 from the 164 cases which had been confirmed by Friday evening.

The Department of Health said more than 21,000 people had been tested for the virus.

Hereford Times: Coronavirus-linked panic buying: Co-op in Hay-on-Wye, Breconshire, at 3.30pm today (Saturday)Coronavirus-linked panic buying: Co-op in Hay-on-Wye, Breconshire, at 3.30pm today (Saturday)

Hereford Times: Coronavirus-linked panic buying: Empty loo roll shelves in Tesco, Ledbury, on Friday. Picture: Rebecca McMannCoronavirus-linked panic buying: Empty loo roll shelves in Tesco, Ledbury, on Friday. Picture: Rebecca McMann

Hereford Times: Coronavirus-linked panic buying: Morrisons, Leominster, on Friday. Picture: Sophie HarwoodCoronavirus-linked panic buying: Morrisons, Leominster, on Friday. Picture: Sophie Harwood