Supermarkets working 'tirelessly' to restock essentials after panic-buyers clear shelves

In the U.S., consumer concern escalated with the rising number of coronavirus cases and media reports of community containment zones in Washington and New York, as well as widespread school closings, business conference and entertainment event cancellations, airline flight cutbacks, tourist destination shutdowns, postponements by pro sports leagues and drop-offs in public transit use — not to mention news that actors Tom Hanks and his wife Rita Wilson were diagnosed with COVID-19 and quarantined in Australia.