Melania Trump to star in US coronavirus awareness ads

US First Lady Melania Trump is the face of a new TV ad campaign that aims to spread awareness around coronavirus.

She's seen urging all Americans to wash their hands and practice social distancing in a bid to protect themselves from the flu-like virus.

ABC, CBS, NBC and other US broadcast networks will air the public service announcements that will also feature other Trump administration officials.

They will "communicate the most important ways Americans can protect themselves and those most at risk," the White House said in a statement.

All the ads will direct audiences to an official government website that will feature all the latest information about the outbreak.

Meanwhile, Nickleodon will create a separate campaign for children.

So far, the US death toll from COVID-19 has touched 146, with the number of infections close to 8,000.