Donald Trump has urged Americans to start wearing facemasks, but says he has no intention of following the advice himself.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) proposed the new guideline to help stop the spread of the coronavirus across America after 1,100 deaths in a single day - the highest total for a 24-hour period anywhere in the world.

The President stressed the guidance given on Friday was only 'voluntary', before adding: "You do not have to do it. I don't think I'm going to be doing it."

Latest figures show more than 270,000 reported cases across America, with 7,000 deaths and 3,000 of  those in the worst affected area, New York state.

Trump said: "From recent studies we know that the transmission from individuals without symptoms is playing a more significant role in the spread of the virus than previously understood."

But after passing on the CDC's new guidance, he told reporters: "I just don't want to do it myself.

"Sitting in the Oval Office... I somehow don't see it for myself."

He added that he could not see himself wearing one when greeting "presidents, prime ministers, dictators, kings, queens" in the Oval Office.

One person it does seem is going to follow the advice, however, is the President's wife.

First Lady Melania Trump took to Twitter to say: "As the weekend approaches I ask that everyone take social distancing & wearing a mask/face covering seriously. #COVID19 is a virus that can spread to anyone - we can stop this together."