Trump admits coronavirus will 'probably, unfortunately' get worse before it gets better

Donald Trump, after spending months declaring the United States had defeated the coronavirus and vowing it soon will "disappear," on Tuesday warned Americans the outbreak that has killed at least 141,000 in the United States is likely to grow more dire.

"It will probably, unfortunately get worse before it gets better," the president said as he revived his regular coronavirus briefings.

Notably, he implored Americans to wear face coverings after dismissing the practice for months as many of his supporters said mask requirements limited their freedoms.

"Get a mask. Whether you like the mask or not, get a mask," he said. "They have an effect."

Democratic lawmakers, however, have called his response slow and ineffective, and they criticised him for refusing to wear a mask in public until recently.

As members of both parties and some of his top aides struggle to even being talking about a fifth coronavirus economic recovery bill, the president said the country would not shut down again saying it would be too economically damaging.

A permanent shutdown would be "completely unsustainable," he said as he needs glimmers of an economic recovery to pick up amid declining poll numbers in his race against presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden.

"We want to get rid of it. ... As soon as we can," Mr Trump said, then arguing vaccine development is well underway.

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