Drivers on a California highway on Wednesday created a minor traffic jam after some people reportedly got out of their vehicles to grab hundreds of medical masks that had been scattered on the road.

Authorities were alerted that an unidentified man in a white pickup truck had left boxes of medical masks in the road on Interstate 880, according to USA Today.

"Multiple individuals stopped and stepped out of their vehicles to pick up masks," the Hayward California Highway Patrol (CHP) said on social media.

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Face coverings have become high-demand items worldwide as the coronavirus pandemic has led to many governments requiring them when in public settings.

The exact number of masks strewn about on the highway is unknown, but a report from San Francisco-based KPIX-TV estimated that hundreds if not more than 1,000 face covers were scattered across the road.

A separate report from KTVU-TV said the masks could have accidentally fallen out of the back of the man's vehicle.

CHP brought out a road sweeper to remove excess masks along the road, blocking traffic for a short time.

Police did not make any arrests and there is no clear reason as to why the masks were left behind.