As a recent spike in coronavirus cases hits Victoria, there are signs that panic buying has returned to Melbourne supermarkets.

Shoppers have started stocking up on essential items and food as there are fears that tough new restrictions will be imposed to stamp out the virus.

Victoria has recorded its seventh consecutive day of a double-digit increase in cases on Tuesday, with Premier Daniel Andrews confirming 17 new cases being identified overnight.

A Woolworths spokesperson has confirmed that some stores have experienced "elevated demand" for toilet paper.

“We’ve seen elevated demand for toilet roll in a handful of Melbourne stores today,” the spokesperson said to 7News.com.au.

“We have plenty of stock to draw on in our distribution centres and will replenish shelves in those stores quickly.

“We’ll continue to keep a close eye on stock levels in the coming days, and ask customers to buy only what they need.”

@Trav_Roebuck thought you may appreciate this picture. Panic buying is back pic.twitter.com/kBLQtG6TsT

— Melbourne Girl (@BelindaI) June 23, 2020

In March, supermarkets experienced an unprecedented surge in demand for toilet paper as panicked shoppers stripped the shelves of stock.

Woolworths alone sold a shocking 39.7 million rolls a week mid-March at the peak of panic buying.