Thread by @abc730

The race is on for critical supplies of #PPE. The government says an extra 11 million masks for health workers are on their way but some GPs are so desperate they've spent over $100,000 to buy stock directly from suppliers in China. #abc730 @GraceTobin #coroanvirus #COVID19Aus

Medical supply company MediBC has been swamped with requests for face masks and some of the orders are clearly suspicious. #abc730 #coronavirusaustralia #PPE

“It seemed like we were being targeted by some crime syndicate because there were, there were 10 orders through with email addresses that looked extremely weird.” Michael Randall MediBC owner. #abc730 #coronavirusaustralia #PPE

Invoices and email addresses reviewed by 7.30 suggest up to eight bulk orders were all placed by a single, mysterious party and Michael Randall says he has been interviewed by @AusFedPolice #abc730 #PPE #coronavirus

Dr Alvin Chua’s medical practice is so short of personal protective equipment he has been buying 4 masks at his local hardware store each day on his way to work. #abc730 #coronavirusaustralia #PPE

#PPE supplies from the Federal government stockpile are limited. “We’re getting a box of 50 every two or three weeks to be shared amongst 8-10 doctors at each surgery and that’s really not enough to get us through.” Dr Alvin Chua. #abc730 #coronavirusaustralia

GP clinics in Adelaide are now so low on stock that 22 practices have ordered $114,000 worth of #PPE direct from China. #abc730 #coronavirusaustralia

“I would simply urge people to be very cautious, make sure they verify the reality of the supplier. And if people were to import and they needed to test, then we would make the CSIRO available to ensure that the quality was being maintained.” @GregHuntMP #abc730 #coronavirus #PPE