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Several Sainsbury's across Somerset have empty shelves as people apparently rush to buy essentials amid concerns they need to self isolate due to coronavirus.

Today the number of cases in the UK has hit 90, with yesterday being the biggest jump in reported cases, going from 51 to 87.

Shoppers at Sainsbury's in Frome, Bath and Chippenham have noticed the empty shelves of toilet roll, wipes and anti-bacterial gels.

The official guidance has been to practice good hygiene and regularly wash your hands, not to stockpile.

Yet with the news earlier today the UK has moved to phase two of the virus plan from the contain phase to the delay phase, it would appeal people are stocking up.

The country's chief medical adviser Professor Chris Whitty said to MPs that it is "highly likely" some people now being infected in the UK have no connection to overseas cases.

Chippenham

In one local Facebook group, a shopper took a picture of empty shelves of toilet roll in the Chippenham Sainsbury's and asked people to "get a grip".

Bath

Yesterday shoppers spotted empty shelves of toilet roll at Bath's Green Park Sainsbury's .

Two shoppers shared photos from inside the Green Park Station Sainsbury's in Bath.

Louise, a tourist from Wales, shared on Twitter: "On a short break in Bath and I popped into Sainsbury's to be confronted with this.

"I thought it was all media talk until I seen it for myself! WTF!! #toiletpapercrisis."

(Image: @Canuck_in_Bath)

Shannon replied minutes later to say the stock was now "zero".

She posted a photo of her own of completely empty shelves (see above).

Frome

The same has been reported in Sainbury's at Wessex Fields, Frome where one shopper said: "Looks like the stockpiling has started!

"(FYI most handgel doesn’t work as the alcohol content isn’t high enough and masks also don’t work to protect you - take it from this biochemist - stick to soap and water!)"

Somerset Live visited the branch today where it appears items have been restocked yet shelves of anti-bacterial hand gel and cleaning products, paracetamol and toilet roll were again empty and low.

A sign is still in place telling shoppers they are out of face masks and hand gel.

One shopper in Sainsbury's today, who wished to remain anonymous said: “I don’t personally believe in the face masks, I don’t think they help, but for those who want them it’s just not on - those who want them should be able to have them.

"I think the gel’s definitely a concern though, they say soap and water works just as well but you don’t always have a sink available and it’s useful to have some of that in your pocket. I mean they’re calling it an epidemic now so I feel like you’ve got to take precautions.”

(Image: Somerset Live)

One woman, who also wished to remain anonymous and was already wearing protective surgical-style gloves, said: “Even coming here you’ve got to touch the bars on the trolleys and things so you can’t be too careful.

"It does concern me that things are running out but there’s not too much we can do about, you’ve got to take the chance really.”

Another shopper who wished to remain anonymous said: “You’ve got to be pragmatic about it - you can’t stop living just because they haven’t got it.

"I’m supposed to be going on holiday soon and I haven’t got any gel, not much you can do about it if you haven’t got it. It’s a bit of a concern but equally you’ve just got to get on with it.”

Should we worry about low stocks?

Andrew Opie, Director of Food & Sustainability at the British Retail Consortium, said: “Disruption to supply chains has been limited, and the availability of products remains good.

"Retailers are working closely with their suppliers and monitoring consumer behaviour to anticipate changes in future demand.

"Retailers are also taking necessary steps to meet the rise in demand for certain hygiene products."