A Christian mission charity in America has launched a new Lent campaign to encourage believers to pray and fast for an end to Covid-19, which has killed over 2,800 people worldwide.

Gospel for Asia (GFA) has created an online calendar containing daily prayers, scripture readings and teachings on fasting to assist Christian's observing the 40 days of Lent.

A statement on the charity's website reads: "Remembering that we are but dust, needy and desperate for life, may our motivation for observing this Lenten Season be one of looking forward in the same manner which Christ looked ahead to the cross and resurrection with Joy."

The number of global cases of coronavirus has risen to 82,585 with more new cases now occurring outside of China than within.

Numerous churches have stopped public Mass in Italy, the Philippines and South Korea as a result of increasing outbreaks.

"We are encouraging and asking Christians around the world to pray and ask for God's mercy and grace: for those affected by the coronavirus, for their protection and strength, for the doctors who are faithfully working to bring healing and hope and for wisdom for the leaders in the nations that are dealing with this tragedy," Danny Yohannan, GFA vice president, told Fox News.

"Our world today desperately needs God's intervention and grace," Yohannan said in a statement. "The Lenten season is a purposeful opportunity in which we seek God and ask him to give us his heart for the suffering people of the world."

The "tragic outbreak" has a global impact that all believers should be concerned with, according to Yohannan.

In the UK, the total number of people diagnosed with Covid-19 has risen to 15 - eight of whom have recovered.