Donald Trump again sought to downplay the risks stemming from the coronavirus outbreak, saying more Americans die each year of the ’flu.

The president also again blamed a stock market slide on “the unknown” aspects of the coronavirus crisis and the Democratic presidential candidates, calling on the Federal Reserve to act to stave off a broader economic crisis.

Speaking to reporters over Marine One‘s idling helicopter engines while departing the White House for a campaign rally in South Carolina, Mr Trump noted tens of thousands of people die each year from seasonal influenza.

His stance towards the mass outbreak has been criticised by Democrats and some public health experts for not sounding a more serious public tone about the mysterious virus that has killed around 2,500 people worldwide.

“We haven’t lost anybody yet,” Mr Trump said. “There haven’t been any deaths in the United States yet.”

The response to Coronavirus in Daegu South Korea Show all 11 1 /11 The response to Coronavirus in Daegu South Korea The response to Coronavirus in Daegu South Korea Visitors with suspected symptoms of the new coronavirus, inside of a car, bottom right, get virus test by members of medical team as others queue in their cars at a "drive-through" test facility at Yeungnam University Medical Center in Daegu on 27 February 2020 AP The response to Coronavirus in Daegu South Korea Workers move equipment into containers set up as a makeshift medical facility to accommodate COVID-19 patients at a hospital's grounds in Daegu, South Korea on Friday 28 February 2020 AP The response to Coronavirus in Daegu South Korea People wait in line to buy face masks in front of a store at Dongseongro shopping district in Daegu on 27 February 2020 AFP via Getty Images The response to Coronavirus in Daegu South Korea Medical workers wearing protective gears comfort each other outside a hospital in Daegu, South Korea, on 28 February 2020 REUTERS The response to Coronavirus in Daegu South Korea Medical staff in protective gears arrive for a duty shift at Dongsan Hospital in Daegu South Korea on Friday 28 February 2020 AP The response to Coronavirus in Daegu South Korea A South Korean health worker sprays disinfectant as part of preventive measures against the spread of the COVID-19 coronavirus, at a residential area near the Daegu branch of the Shincheonji Church of Jesus in Daegu on 27 February 2020 AFP via Getty Images The response to Coronavirus in Daegu South Korea A man wears a mask and goggles as he waits in line to buy face masks from a post office near the Daegu branch of the Shincheonji Church of Jesus in Daegu on 27 February 2020 AFP via Getty The response to Coronavirus in Daegu South Korea South Korean medical workers wearing protective gear visit a residence of people with suspected symptoms of the COVID-19 coronavirus to take samples, near the Daegu branch of the Shincheonji Church of Jesus in Daegu on 27 February 2020 AFP via Getty Images The response to Coronavirus in Daegu South Korea A South Korean health worker sprays disinfectant as part of preventive measures against the spread of the COVID-19 coronavirus, at a residential area near the Daegu branch of the Shincheonji Church of Jesus in Daegu on 27 February 2020 AFP via Getty Images The response to Coronavirus in Daegu South Korea A South Korean army vehicle sprays disinfectant on a road to prevent the spread of the COVID-19 in Daegu, South Korea on Thursday 27 February 2020. AP The response to Coronavirus in Daegu South Korea Troops set up makeshift partitions and beds at the Armed Forces Hospital in Daegu South Korea 28 February 2020 EPA

Hours earlier, his health and human services secretary, Alex Azar, called the coronavirus threat inside the United States “low”, but told reporters it “could worsen”.

The president again said investors are more jittery about the opposition party’s slate of candidates than the coronavirus – even though markets have fallen on days that did not follow a Democratic presidential debate.

He also furthered his years-old feud with the Federal Reserve, taking a shot over “mistakes” he says the central bank makes and calling on its leaders to step in if the stock market continues to tank.

“I hope the fed gets involved,” the president said, griping that the central banks of European countries like Germany are “stuffing the till” while the Fed “sits there” doing nothing. Federal Reserve officials said Friday they would consider an interest rate cut if stock indexes continue to lose value.

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As he again pressured the central bank – something for which even some Republicans have criticised him – Mr Trump was quick to note the Fed is “independent” of the White House. But he also said it does “a disservice to our country”.

Mr Trump was not asked about a Washington Post report he is considering pushing another round of tax cuts if the market drop continues.