Russian coronavirus aid is sent to the US

A Russian military aircraft loaded with medical supplies took off from Moscow early on Wednesday morning bound for the United States, according to the Russian defence ministry.

Footage from the Russian Defence Ministry showed boxes of medical equipment inside an Antonov An-124 Ruslan aircraft at Moscow's Chkalovsky Airbase.

The delivery followed a phone call between Russian President Vladimir Putin and US President Donald Trump on Monday, where the two leaders discussed cooperation in the fight against the coronavirus pandemic.

A Kremlin statement said the call took place at Washington's initiative.

For most people, the new coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough that clear up in two to three weeks.

For some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia, and could lead to death.