Madonna has donated $1m to the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, in order to help create a vaccine for coronavirus.

Earlier this week, the Microsoft co-founder announced his plans to fund seven different research labs to find a cure for the disease.

In a video on Instagram, Madonna told fans: “Individually and globally we are obviously living in a state of emergency, I must admit it took me time to accept and process and modify my own lifestyle...

“I’m joining the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation effort to find a drug that will prevent or treat Covid-19...

“We need this to protect our health workers, the most vulnerable, and all of our friends and families.”

Gates recently told The Daily Show host Trever Noah: “Because our foundation has such deep expertise in infectious diseases, we’ve thought about the epidemic, we did fund some things to be more prepared, like a vaccine effort. Our early money can accelerate things.”

Madonna recently led tributes to the actor Mark Blum, who died from coronavirus complications. “I Want to Acknowledge the Passing of a remarkable Human, fellow actor and friend Mark Blum, who succumbed to Coronavirus,” she posted on Instagram. “This is really tragic and my heart goes out to him, his family and his loved ones. I remember him as funny warm, loving and professional when we made Desperately Seeking Susan in 1985!!

“Another reminder that this virus is no joke, nothing to be casual about or pretend wont affect us in some way….we need to stay grateful – be hopeful – and follow the quarantine rules!”

Last month, Madonna called coronavirus “the great equaliser” in a sombre nude video taken in the bath.