Shoppers are showing no signs of slowing down as they race to stock up on essential items amid fears the coronavirus outbreak could worsen.
Hundreds of anxious customers lined up for hours outside a Costco in Burbank, California on Friday morning as they waited for the outlet to open its doors.
Stunning photos revealed that the line to enter the store stretched the entire length of the parking lot.
Overnight, employees had worked around the clock to restock in-demand items including toilet paper, bottled water, and Clorox wipes.
However, many Costco outlets across the country have begun to tighten rations that they had put on products in a bid to spread supply.
Several stores reduced the packets of flour, sugar and rice from five per customer to two per customer.
It comes as the number of Americans testing positive to cornavirus pushed upwards of 270 on Friday, with 14 citizens now having died in relation to the virus.
Hundreds of anxious customers lined up for hours outside a Costco in Burbank, California on Friday morning as they waited for the outlet to open its doors. Shoppers are showing no signs of slowing down as they race to stock up on essential items amid fears the coronavirus outbreak could worsen
Overnight, employees had worked around the clock to restock in-demand items including toilet paper, bottled water, and Clorox wipes and Burbank shoppers were eager to get their hands on supplies
Despite rations being put in place, this shopper managed to secure large amounts of bottled water. The lucky customer also managed to secure paper towels and toilet paper
Bottled water flew off the shelves one the Burbank Costco opened for business at 10AM
Shoppers lined up for hours waiting for Costco doors to open, and later faced lengthy queues for the cash register
Even as Costco limits toilet paper and water cases to two items per member, customers continue to flood the stores and clean out supplies as panic buying fear over coronavirus continues to sweep America
Despite the rations, the cases of bottled water were soon depleted
Rations were also put in place at a CVS in Tarzana, California. Several residents in the area have tested positive to coronavirus after returning from a ski trip in Italy
In Florida, where four people have tested positive to coronavirus, shoppers similarly waited in line to snap up replenished supplies.
Lysol products and bottled water flew off the shelves at a local Costco.
Some cautious customers donned face masks as they made their way through the bustling stores to stock up.
Shoppers in all 50 states fear they could be quarantined due to the coronavirus, prompting them to load up on essential items – and boost Costco profits in the process.
On Thursday it was reported that Costco sales for the month of February are up a whopping 12.4% on last year.
‘Members are turning to us for a variety of items associated with preparing for and dealing with a virus,’ Costco CFO Richard Galanti told analysts Thursday, according to KTLA-TV.
The profits are expected to push over into March, with an analyst from investment bank UBS stating: ‘As consumers prioritize a dwindling number of trips to stores, [Costco] will likely be at the top of the list. Over the long-term, we think the stock-ups will help accelerate [Costco’s] share gains.’
Some customers shopped with friends as they stocked up together at a Miami customer. This woman pushes a pallet laden down with bottled water for her and her pals
At a Miami Costco, stocks were replenished overnight, but rations were put in place in a bid to spread the supply
Signs limiting the amount of water, rice, sugar, hand soap, baby wipes, gloves, paper towels and toilet tissue were plastered around this Costco
Disinfectant wipes were limited to two per customer Friday morning at this Miami Costco
One shopper struggled to balance her bulk buy packets of toilet paper as she rushed into a restocked Costco outlet in Atlanta
Some cautious customers donned face masks as they made their way through the bustling stores to stock up
A customer at this Costco, in Atlanta,Georgia closely inspects this box of hand sanitizer
One woman picks up stocks of cleaning products for her work place. In the midst of the coronavirus outbreak, employers have been taking extra precautions, making sure offices are thoroughly wiped down
Lysol disinfectant spray was flying off the shelves at a BJs Club Store in Orlando, Florida
Customers at a BJs Club Store in Orlando faced long lines on Friday
Shoppers lined up for hours outside a Costco in Burbank, California on Friday morning to stock up on supplies
Meanwhile in New York City, stores and supermarkets were also selling out of hand sanitizer and face masks on Friday.
Many who managed to secure the masks were seen wearing them as they commuted around Manhattan.
Many residents took subways to stock up on supplies Friday, and appeared to be taking all precautions, with several also seen donning gloves or using tissues to hold on to the train’s poles.
City residents have been left shaken after a Midtown lawyer tested positive to coronavirus and infected more than a dozen other people before he realized he was afflicted with the illness.
Employees at a CVS store in Manhattan put up a sign for customers, who have been constantly asking about the whereabouts of masks and sanitizer
Empty shelves of cleaning supplies at a CVS store in Manhattan are pictured on Friday morning
It wasn’t just CVS that was short of stock in Manhattan. A nearby Duane Reade had also run out of popular cleaning products
At bustling Penn Station- one of Manhattan’s largest commuter hubs – a well-protected employee helped a resident with directions. Many locals are on the way to load up on supplies as the number of coroanvirus cases skyrockets across the country
In the heart of Manhattan, residents were taking precautions as they took the subway to the store to stock up on supplies Friday morning
A commuter donned a protective mask as he made his way through the 14th Street subway station in Manhattan Friday morning. Many residents are forced to take the subway to visit stores and load up on supplies
Customers at a Costco in Los Feliz, California were anxious to stock up on supplies Thursday before they ran out. Bottled water, toilet paper and alcohol wipes were top of the list for many
Panicked Californians continued to stock up on supplies Thursday, amid the growing coronavirus outbreak. Pictured: A customer inside a Los Feliz Costco loading up on bottled water, paper cups and toilet paper
Anxious customers at a Los Feliz Costco were taking no precautions Wednesday, loaded up on bottled water, toilet paper and paper towels
Two women waited in line to check out their groceries at a Costco in Los Feliz. Like all the others in line, their cart was full of bottled water and toilet paper
Lines for the cashier stretched back deep inside the store at a Los Feliz Costco Thursday, after California declared a state of emergency due to the coronavirus outbreak
Relieved that they had secured items in scare supply, customers waited patiently in line to pay for the items and take them home at a Los Feliz Costco
Canned foods, such as Spam, were a popular choice for shoppers at the Los Feliz Costco. In just hours, the store’s stocks were low
California
On Thursday, cops were called to The Chino Hills Costco for a disturbance after the store ran out of bottled water and toilet paper.
But elsewhere in the state, other Costco customers were keeping calm as they waited in line to pay for their supplies.
Lines for the cashier snaked back deep into a Costco outlet in Los Feliz, with carts full of bottled water, toilet paper and paper towels.
Many customers wore face masks in a bid to protect themselves from coronavirus – a day after California declared a state of emergency after a resident died in relation to the illness.
As of Friday morning, 66 Californians had tested positive to COVID-19.
One shopper was taking no precaution, wearing a face mask as he paid for items at the cash register
Sales for the month of February up 12.4% on last year at Costco stores, and the boost is likely to push through into March
One shopper pushed a pallet full of supplies out of a store in Novato, California
Shoppers are pictured at a Costco in Novato, near San Francisco. The northern part of California has been hard hit by the coronavirus
One lady struggled to keep her items contained in her cart as she left a Novato Costco and headed to her car
Californians flood a Costco Wholesale store in Los Feliz, California on Thursday. Deputies were called to another California Costco to respond to a disturbance by customers who were upset that water and toilet paper were sold out
New York State
With more diagnoses confirmed in New York Thursday, shoppers flooded a Costco in Brooklyn.
The store warned customers there would be a limit to amount of water and rice they could buy Thursday. Amazon is also warning same-day grocery customers that delivery may be limited.
22 people have tested positive to coronavirus across New York State, with one reported instance of ‘community spread’ occurring on Long Island.
The new cause panicked shoppers to run on stores across Suffolk County, where Walmart and Target were depleted of cold medication and disinfecting wipes.
Panic buying continues at the Brooklyn Costco (above) where the store has put up signs limiting the amount of high turn over items that customers have been buying in bulk
Customers crowd into the Brooklyn Costco where the store has put up signs limiting the amount water per person Thursday
A pallet of disinfecting wipes was being depleted inside a Brooklyn Costco Thursday
A sign that says ‘DUE TO CURRENT SUPPLY ISSUES EACH WATER ITEM WILL HAVE A LIMIT OF 5’ is posted on the shelves of cases of bottled water as shoppers load their shopping carts with water and other supplies in Teterboro, New Jersey
Despite rations for bottled water, several pallets were empty at the Brooklyn Costco Thursday
A mask-wearing shopper inside Brooklyn Costco battled against the crowds as she tried to fill up her cart
After a man tested positive for coronavirus on Long Island, shoppers descended on stores across Suffolk Count. In Target, shelves that used to house toilet paper, were empty
Empty shelves at a Target in Suffolk County, Long Island, that used to house disinfectant wipes
Only a few boxes of latex gloves remained at a Walmart in Suffolk County late Thursday
22 people have tested positive to coronavirus across New York State, with one reported instance of ‘community spread’ occurring on Long Island
Connecticut, New Jersey and Pennsylvania
In neighboring Connecticut, a Costco in Norwalk was bustling Thursday, despite the state having no residents test positive to coronavirus.
He purchased Red Bull, Gatroade, zip lock bags and tinned tomatoes, appearing to anticipate the fact he may soon be quarantined in his home and unable to make it to the local grocer.
Meanwhile, shoppers in New Jersey made a dash to Costco, after a resident tested positive to COVID-19 in their state.
As in New York, popular items were rationed in a bid to ensure there was enough for each customer.
Elsewhere in the Northeast, a Costco store at King of Prussia mall in Pennsylvania was low on supplies, after customers raided the shelves.
One Costco shopper in Norwalk, Connecticut looked ready to bunker down,with Gatorade, Red Bull and large tubs of peanut butter
Women’s sanitary items have also been flying off the shelves, with shoppers fearing they’ll be quarantined inside their homes and unable to make it to the local grocery store due to the threat of coronavirus
An elderly customer tired to protect himself with a face mask, as he prepared to head into the Norwalk Costco and fill up his cart with essentials
Empty shelves are pictured in the Norwalk Costco. The store had run out of toilet paper
The line for the cashier at Norwalk Costco is pictured. It was a familiar scene at grocery stores across the country Thursday
At a Costco at King of Prussia, Pennsylvania ashopper walks past a sign above bags of sugar limiting purchase of 5 units per day
Despite the rations, the shelves were stripped of stock in Pennsylvania. The Costco at King of Prussia Mall is pictured
A woman examines the meager supplies at a Target in Plymouth Meeting, Pennsylvania on Thursday
Stocks were still low at a Walmart in Exton, Pennsylvania on Friday morning. Campbell’s stocks are up as many people snap up canned soup
A woman lifts a one of the remaining cases of water into her cart at a Walmart store in Prussia on Friday
Miami and Georgia
While the northwest may be the part of the country currently hardest hit by the coronavirus, state’s in the southeast have also been affected.
With four cases confirmed in Florida, and two in Georgia, shoppers in those states were not taking any chances.
Video showed long lines at a Costco in Miami, where one worker confirmed to the DailyMail.com they only get two palates a day of Clorox Disinfecting wipes per store.
Meanwhile, residents in Georgia were seen loading up their pick-ups with toilet paper and bottled water.
Sales of hand sanitizers alone were up 73 percent in the four weeks ending February 22 compared to the same period a year ago, according to market research firm Nielsen.
Most if not all pharmacies and supermarkets have been out of face masks for more than a month, with little hope of restocking anytime soon as the US faces a shortage.
Costco was limiting toilet paper and water packs to five per customer in an effort to keep items in supply
Going, going, gone! A Costco employee unloads boxes of Clorox wipes for waiting customers
Coronavirus panic buying in Costco store in Miami on Thursday. Shoppers lined up to stock up on essential supplies
Despite their panic, customers kept their calm and formed orderly lines at a Costco in Miami
A shopper at Sam’s Club wholesale in Georgia stocks up on key supplies on Thursday
Jim Benton, 72, of Marietta, GA loads his pickup with a load of bath tissue and paper towels at a Sam’s Club wholesale store. ‘I couldn’t get alcohol wipes or face masks, but I’ll keep looking. This virus thing might keep us housebound for a while,’ he said
Empty shelves where isopropyl alcohol are normally kept at Marietta, GA Walmart. As hand-sanitizer supplies vanished in recent days, people are making their own sanitizing liquid with alcohol and Aloe vera juice, a pharmacist explained
A shopper at a Costco in Kennesaw, GA loads up supplies at fears of virus increase