The President of the United States has been roundly criticized by the medical community after suggesting research into whether COVID-19 could be treated by injecting disinfectant into the body.

During Thursday's White House coronavirus task force briefing, he also appeared to propose irradiating patients with UV light - an idea that was subsequently dismissed by a doctor at the conference.

Disinfectants are hazardous substances, which can prove fatal if ingested. Furthermore, external exposure can be dangerous to the eyes, skin and respiratory system.

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The comments came after William Bryan, acting head of the US Department of Homeland Security's Science and Technology Directorate, presented the results of US government research, which appeared to indicate that the novel coronavirus appeared to weaken more quickly when exposed to sunlight and heat.

The study also showed bleach could kill the virus in saliva or respiratory fluids within five minutes and isopropyl alcohol could kill it even more quickly.

"So, supposing we hit the body with a tremendous - whether it's ultraviolet or just very powerful light," the president said regarding the findings. He then turned to Dr. Deborah Birx - the White House coronavirus response co-ordinator - and stated: "and I think you said that hasn't been checked but you're going to test it.

"And then I said, supposing you brought the light inside of the body, which you can do either through the skin or in some other way. And I think you said you're going to test that too. Sounds interesting," Trump continued.

"And then I see the disinfectant where it knocks it out in a minute. One minute. And is there a way we can do something like that, by injection inside or almost a cleaning? So it'd be interesting to check that."

Pointing to his head, Trump added: "I'm not a doctor. But I'm, like, a person that has a good you-know-what."

Watch as Donald Trump brands a reporter a "disgrace" at a press briefing:

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He addressed Dr. Birx again and asked if she had ever heard of using "the heat and the light" to treat coronavirus. "Not as a treatment," Dr. Birx replied. "I mean, certainly, fever is a good thing, when you have a fever it helps your body respond. But I've not seen heat or light."

"I think it's a great thing to look at," Trump responded.

A journalist at the briefing proceeded to question whether Trump's remarks could spread dangerous misinformation to the American public - an assertion that has been echoed by medics around the nation.

Speaking to NBC News, Pulmonologist Dr. Vin Gupta said: "This notion of injecting or ingesting any type of cleansing product into the body is irresponsible and it's dangerous. It's a common method that people utilise when they want to kill themselves."

Donald Trump suggests injections of disinfectant as coronavirus treatment