Hand sanitizers are now being stolen from UK hospitals amid coronavirus outbreak

Reckless thieves have been helping themselves to hand sanitiser from hospitals as national panic over coronavirus heightens.

Medics yesterday pleaded with the public not to steal because it puts patients at risk.

In a Facebook plea, Northampton General Hospital said staff have noticed "a lot" of hand sanitiser going missing.

It comes as the number of confirmed coronavirus cases rose to 209 on Saturday - an increase of 45 in 24 hours.


The hospital wrote: "We're seeing a lot of hand sanitiser dispensers disappearing from the end of our patients' beds and from our welcome desks.

"Please help us to keep our patients safe by not removing the dispensers or using them to top up your own dispensers."

The Northampton Chronicle reports that a memo from the hospital's infection prevention team says ward managers have been asked to "monitor closely" any change in supply.

It said: “Whilst we acknowledge that there is potential for a national shortage of foam due to the coronavirus, we do not want our patients to be put at risk of other infections whilst they are in hospital.”

As a result, wards are being urged to ration the amount of hand sanitiser on each ward.

It comes as shops across the country report shortages of hand sanitiser and soaps.