HUNTSVILLE, Ala. — The jump in coronavirus cases is prompting many people in the Tennessee Valley to stock up on necessities, and it's impacting local stores.
Many stores are running low on bottled water.
A shopper at Costco in Huntsville said, "There's a limit of five on water. The price hasn't gone up. The stock hasn't gone up, but there is a limit now."
A manager at the Huntsville Costco told WZDX News it was business as usual at that location.
Shoppers say they think fears of COVID-19 are getting people to stock up.
"I see it. I told him, you better come back and get some more water and some more toilet paper, and we got a lot of canned goods," said a Costco shopper.
A manager at Sam's Club on Holmes Avenue says their store hasn't been as busy as it was yesterday since Christmas. Some shoppers haven't been able to get certain products at Sam's Club.
"I had to come here anyway for some other things, and I thought I'll check and see what they have and they were sold out of all of that online and in store, and I ended up getting a different brand, but I noticed it's getting scarce. There are a lot of other people buying up the water, too," said a Sam's Club shopper.
Water and toilet paper aren't the only popular items. People are getting canned foods and medical supplies, too.
"When I went by the drug department over there, the pharmacy, there was a guy there looking for gloves, and he was panicking because he couldn't find any large size gloves," said a Sam's Club shopper.
A woman shopping at Costco said, "I'm a Jehovah's Witness, and Society told us to get ready, so we got our back packs with everything we need, anything you need for an emergency."
Local health officials say to prepare for the coronavirus, just do as you would for the flu. Wash your hands often and cover your cough.
For more on what local leaders are doing to get ready for COVID-19, click here.
If you're worried about the coronavirus in your community, the Department of Homeland Security recommends stockpiling a two-week supply of food and water and prescription and non-prescription medications for any pandemic.