U.S. health systems only have about two weeks' worth of protective face masks left and likely won't be able to meet demand if the coronavirus spreads in the U.S., The Washington Post reported.
Many of the protective face masks used in the U.S. are manufactured in the Hubei province in China where the coronavirus outbreak began.
The supply of N95 face masks, which filter out about 95 percent of all airborne particles, are dwindling quickly, as federal protocols state that they be thrown out after a single use. Some hospitals only have a week's supply on hand, according to the Post.
HHS has said that 60 percent of large pharmacy chains are already unable to meet demand for protective face masks.
The CDC has recommended that providers consider extended use or repeated use of masks, according to the Post.
Domestic manufacturers of protective face masks have ramped up production, but it is unlikely they will be able to keep up with demand, the Post reported. California state officials have ordered 300,000 masks to distribute to hospitals and clinics on an emergency basis.
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