(Yicai Global) Jan. 27 -- China's eastern Zhejiang province is confronting a shortage of 4 million surgical masks and 20,000 disposable surgical gowns in the next four days.

"We are appealing to trading companies, e-commerce platforms and Zhejiang's merchants for assistance," said Xu Xu, director of the province's economy and information technology office, speaking at a press conference the provincial government held today, online news portal The Paper reported.

Zhejiang had confirmed 128 cases of coronavirus pneumonia and 18 it has classed as severe as of yesterday. One patient has recovered and left hospital, according to local health authorities.

Editor: Ben Armour