TUNIS (Tunisia) — The price of garlic has shot up in Tunisia amid a buying rush as consumers hope it will help protect against the new coronavirus, despite caution from the World Health Organization.

In Tunisia's central market this week, and in supermarkets and other stores, the price of garlic has risen to around 20-25 dinars (S$10-S$12.50) a kilo, in a country where the average monthly salary is around 600 dinars.