Panic over the novel coronavirus (2019-nCOV) has resulted in the short supply of N95 masks — named so because they ostensibly block at least 95 per cent of very small airborne particles — in the city.The price of a N95 mask, that was earlier sold at ₹100 to ₹120, has sky-rocketed. “It has shot up to ₹300-₹350 and most pharmacies have put up ‘no stock’ boards. We had procured some stocks in bulk before December and were able to get it at ₹80 per mask. We have again placed a bulk order for 1,000 masks with the same supplier and he has supplied 300 pieces two days ago. We are waiting for the delivery of the remaining masks,” said C. Nagaraja, Director of Rajiv Gandhi Institute of Chest Diseases (RGICD).Meanwhile, with more people with a travel history to China reporting with symptoms, the Health and Family Welfare Department has written to the Centre seeking additional kits of personal protection equipment (PPE).The PPE kits include an N95 mask, eye protection, gloves, footwear and gown. “Although we have a stock of 500 kits apart from a sufficient stock in the hospitals identified for admission and treatment of suspected cases, we have written…