Thieves have been criticised for stealing hand sanitiser from the Friarage Hospital.
NHS bosses have confirmed the bottles have been stolen since the outbreak of the coronavirus.
It is understood the bottles were taken from main entrances and public areas at the hospital.
According to reports on social media, the hand gel was secured to the holders with cable ties after being taken, yet further bottles were stolen despite the ties.
A spokesperson for South Tees Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust said: “We can confirm that a small number of hand sanitisers have been stolen from The Friarage Hospital, in Northallerton.
“Staff at South Tees Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust are working very hard to keep our patients safe and play their part in preventing the spread of all infections, not just Coronavirus COVID-19.
“The actions of a small minority of people who are taking these products could be putting vulnerable patients at risk and we are asking people not to take the gel.
“We are also asking people visiting our hospitals and community sites to think about hand hygiene before they enter and when they leave our sites.”
The theft has been criticised by campaigns from Save the Friarage.
Holly Wilkinson, campaign leader, said: “The fact that people are stealing from a hospital that is already under severe pressure absolutely unacceptable.
“The hand gel is there to protect patients, staff, visitors and contractors who come in and out of the hospital on a day to day basis. Everyone needs to be a bit more considerate and needs to stop being so arrogant.
“This could put everyone in the hospital at risk of other infections such as Norovirus which has had a rise in cases.”
The Save the Frirarage group is offering help to anyone in the area who is self-isolating.
For more details email savethefriaragehospital@gmail.com
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