Donald Trump tells American public to wear scarves as face masks in fight against coronavirus: They would be very good

Donald Trump has told Americans to wear scarves as face masks to protect them against the deadly coronavirus.

The US President told how "millions and millions" of masks are being made amid the crisis but said they should go to hospitals rather than individuals.

Mr Trump's remarks came after it was confirmed that the number of people who have died in the US after testing positive for Covid-19 rose to 3,393, surpassing China's 3,305.

"You can use a scarf," the US Leader said as he addressed the demand for face masks. "A lot of people have scarves... scarves would be very good.

"My feeling is if people want to do it, there's certainly no harm to it," he told a press conference on Tuesday.

"Use a scarf if you want, rather than going out and getting a mask. We're making millions and millions of masks but we want them to go to the hospitals.

"We don't want everybody competing with the hospitals who really need them.

The US Centre for Disease Control advises that face masks need to be worn only by those who are sick or people caring for someone who is sick - who is not able to where a face mask themselves.

In guidance on its website, which does not extend to the use of a scarf or other improvised ways of covering the face, it notes that face masks are in short supply and should be saved for caregivers.

Mr Trump also branded the US’s effort to slow the spread of coronavirus as a “matter of life and death” as he told the public to brace for a “rough” two weeks.

He predicted the country would soon see a "light at the end of the tunnel" of the pandemic that has killed more than 3,500 Americans and infected 170,000 more.

Mr Trump urged the public to heed his administration's social distancing guidelines as the White House projected 100,000 to 240,000 deaths in measures are maintained.

Addressing the nation on Tuesday, he said: "I want every American to be prepared for the hard days that lie ahead… We’re going to go through a very tough two weeks."

It comes after Mr Trump announced on Sunday that he was extending to April 30 the social distancing guidelines that urged Americans to cease social gatherings, work from home, suspend onsite learning at schools and more in a nationwide effort to stem the spread of the virus.

This was an abrupt reversal for Mr Trump, who spent much of last week targeting April 12 as the day he wanted to see Americans "pack the pews" for Easter Sunday services.

Many states and local governments already have stiffer controls in place on mobility and gatherings.

Mr Trump spoke after another troubling day for the stock market, which has been in a free fall as the coronavirus ground the economy to a near-halt and left millions unemployed.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average plunged more than 400 points, or roughly 1.9 per cent, to seal the worst first-quarter finish of its 135-year history.