(Washington, DC) — As cases of coronavirus continue to grow, the number of face masks in the Washington area are dwindling. Fears over China’s coronavirus have found face masks selling out at numerous pharmacies and medical supply stores. With China reporting more than 31-thousand cases, U.S. officials say the virus’ risk to Americans is low, but that is not stopping people from running out to the store to purchase the masks. In Northeast Washington, the Reliance Pharmacy on Minnesota Avenue reports it ran out of masks last week while a CVS store on Bladensburg Road says it hasn’t had the item in stock for two weeks. Some doctors argue the face masks aren’t design to stop the transmission of respiratory illnesses adding that the best way to avoid infection is to wash your hands and not touch your face.