With 10 presumptive positive cases of COVID-19 in Pennsylvania as of Monday afternoon, including one in Monroe County, people are stocking up on hand sanitizer and paper products.

The Pennsylvania Department of Health reported on Monday that there were three new cases in the state: two in Montgomery County and one in Monroe.

The new cases brought the total for the state to 11. According to Department of Health, there are now eight cases in Montgomery County, and one each in Monroe, Wayne, and Delaware counties.

In a press release, Pennsylvania Secretary of Health Dr. Rachel Levine said her department is prepared for additional cases in the coming days and weeks.

“Right now, you have a higher chance of testing positive for COVID-19 if you have traveled to a country or state with known community outbreaks or have come in contact with someone who has the virus. We are working with the health care community across Pennsylvania to keep them informed, consult on patient testing and ensuring they have the resources they need to care for patients,” Levine said.

The first two COVID-19 cases in Pennsylvania were revealed last Friday. However, the Pennsylvania Department of Health stated that number has jumped to seven by early Monday afternoon — and by 4 p.m., the total rose to 10.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends washing your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not readily available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol.

The public is reacting by bulking up on toilet paper, paper towels and hand sanitizer.

“There is definitely a demand,” said William Shay, manager of Boyer’s Food Market in Tamaqua. “We’re not out of them. But things like Lysol spray disinfectant, hand sanitizers, wipes and stuff like that, they’re definitely buying more than they normally would. I don’t think we’re in a panic mode yet, but I think it’s getting there.”

Dr. Ravi Tayi, owner of PARA Dollar in Tamaqua, said his independent dollar store also got hit hard by the rush. “We ran out of all hand sanitizers and cleaning supplies are gone,” Tayi said. “We tried to replace it, but the demand is so high, the suppliers are charging an arm and a leg, so most places don’t even have them anymore.”

In general, people are looking for supplies for cleaning and disinfecting frequently touched objects and surfaces.

It’s not your local grocery store’s fault that the supply can’t keep up with the demand. “It’s hard getting product in, manufacturers aren’t keeping up with it. I think they’ll catch up in time,” said Chris Kinsley, vice president and manager of Kinsley’s ShopRite of Brodheadsville. “Our suppliers are out — they service 300-something stores, so if you get a trailer load, that doesn’t go too far if everyone needs it.”

It seems that the coronavirus outbreak has resonated with the public more than this year’s flu epidemic. According to an ABC News article, over 4,800 people have died from the flu in the United States during the 2019-20 flu season. But it’s COVID-19 that’s causing consumers to splurge and buy in abundance.

“Personally, I think it started becoming more of a reality once cases broke in Pennsylvania,” said Shay. “We’re going to absolutely try to get more (sanitation products). The whole thing in a nutshell is: have other areas panicked to the point where they’re going to deplete our warehouse? That’s the concern right now.”

Kinsley added, “Last time we probably saw anything like this was Y2K. The public stocked up on canned goods and stuff like that, so I guess this is similar but different products.”