Top US Democrat Nancy Pelosi has dubbed coronavirus the “Trump virus” as she criticised the president’s handling of the pandemic.

Her comments came after President Trump asked Americans to wear face masks and said the situation in the US may “may get worse before it gets better.”

It marked a change in tone from the president who in a briefing largely stuck to what public health officials have advised about the pandemic.

Speaking on CNN, Pelosi, the House Speaker, said: “Well, I think with the president’s comments today, he recognised the mistakes he has made by now embracing mask-wearing and the recognition this is not a hoax. It is a pandemic that has gotten worse before it will get better because of his inaction.”

“In fact, clearly it is the Trump virus,” she said.

Her phrasing echoed Trump's, who has been criticised for calling Covid-19 the "China virus".