BEIJING (Reuters) – China’s National Health Commission called for the “reasonable use” of protective suits in a statement on Sunday and cautioned against “excessive and disorderly” use of the clothing that would waste resources and could also increase infection.

The statement was issued as China faces a severe shortage of equipment, including suits, masks and goggles, to protect medical workers from infection amid a newly identified coronavirus that has killed more than 800 people.

Though supplies of protective clothing have improved, they are still insufficient, said the statement.

(Reporting by Winni Zhou and Dominique Patton; Editing by Christian Schmollinger)

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