Donald Trump has warned the American people that the coronavirus pandemic would "probably get worse before it gets better" in a starker warning than his often expressed prediction that the virus will one day disappear.

The president also urged citizens to wear a face mask if they cannot socially distance, regardless of whether they like doing so, in a marked change in tone.

Addressing the media after bringing back his coronavirus briefings, the US president said that the country needed to do “everything” it could to stop the spread of the virus.

“We’re asking everybody that when you are not able to socially distance, wear a mask, get a mask,” Mr Trump said as he delivered prepared remarks at the start of the briefing.

“Whether you like the mask or not, they have an impact, they'll have an effect and we need everything we can get."

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