Arrangements are being made to ensure there is enough personal protective equipment (PPE) for health workers in the UK to deal with the coronavirus amid concerns over supply shortages.

Nursing Times understands that work is underway to secure additional stocks of PPE, such as masks and gowns, as the number of confirmed cases of the novel virus in the UK rises.

“There is limited stock of PPE and we need to make sure we get it to the people who need it most" Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus

There have now been more than 40,500 people across the world diagnosed with the virus since the outbreak first began in the Chinese city of Wuhan at the end of last year.

While the majority of cases are in China, patients have also been confirmed in other parts of Asia as well as Europe and America.

Over the weekend, the number of cases in the UK doubled from four to eight.

As worldwide efforts to contain the virus continue, the International Council of Nurses has raised concerns with the World Health Organization (WHO) over an “urgent need” for more PPE to prevent the further spread of the disease and support the nurses working to manage the situation.

The WHO has since admitted that despite sending testing kits, masks, gloves, respirators and gowns to countries in every region, “the world is facing severe disruption” in the market for PPE.

A ban has been imposed on the export of these products from China.

Director-general at the WHO, Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, said global stocks of masks and respirators were now “insufficient to meet the needs of WHO and our partners”.

However, he assured that health workers were the “first priority” in terms of ensuring they had enough PPE.

For the UK, Nursing Times understands that stockpiles of protective equipment and masks are in place to increase preparedness for cases of the coronavirus.

Sources assured that the situation was being constantly monitored and that work was underway to manage demand and secure additional stocks.

Infection Prevention Society president Pat Cattini confirmed that plans were being put in place to ensure PPE supplies were sufficient for the UK workforce.

“We call on countries and companies to ensure fair and rational use of supplies" Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus

She told Nursing Times: “Infection prevention professionals are continuing to work with NHS England and Improvement, Public Health England and supply chain to ensure that we can protect our staff and reduce transmission of this virus.”

Concerns over PPE were first reported by Nursing Times at the end of last month when ICN chief executive Howard Catton warned that nurses in China were “having to use supplies for a longer period of time than they would ideally have liked to”.

According to the WHO, demand for such equipment is “up to 100 times higher than normal” and that stock is now “limited”.

Head of the organisation, Dr Ghebreyesus, said the situation had been “exacerbated by widespread, inappropriate use of PPE”.

He assured that he had spoken with the Pandemic Supply Chain Network, which includes manufacturers, distributors and logistics providers, “to ensure that PPE supplies get to those who need them”.

Dr Ghebreyesus added that the network was initially focusing on surgical masks “because of the extreme demand”.

He warned that frontline health workers in China required “the bulk” of PPE supplies and discouraged stockpiling of these products in countries and areas where transmission is low.

“There is limited stock of PPE, and we need to make sure we get it to the people who need it most, in the places that need it most," he said.

“The first priority is health workers.

“The second priority is those who are sick or caring for someone who is sick.

“We call on countries and companies to work with WHO to ensure fair and rational use of supplies, and the rebalancing of the market.”

The news comes as health secretary Matt Hancock introduced strengthened restrictions on any individual considered by health professionals to be at risk of spreading the virus.

Those returning to the UK from certain areas of China are being put into dedicated quarantine facilities in Wirral and Milton Keynes.

The new regulations announced by Mr Hancock on Monday will apply to any individuals seeking to leave supported isolation before the current quarantine period of 14 days is complete.

"NHS staff will now be supported with additional legal powers to keep people safe" Matt Hancock

It will also apply to future cases during the current coronavirus incident where an individual who may be infected or contaminated could present a risk to public health.

The strengthened powers will ensure that NHS staff dealing with possible cases can be confident the necessary powers are in place to keep individuals in isolation.

Mr Hancock said: "NHS staff and others will now be supported with additional legal powers to keep people safe across the country.

"The transmission of coronavirus would constitute a serious threat - so I am taking action to protect the public and isolate those at risk of spreading the virus.”

The government confirmed the risk to the UK public remained “moderate”.

The WHO’s latest situation report, published on Monday, stated there are now 40,554 confirmed cases of the coronavirus across the globe.

There have so far been 910 deaths and only one of these was outside of China.