Rihanna has made a donation for personal protective equipment (PPE) for medics in New York who are dealing with the coronavirus outbreak.

The Work star, 32, is one of several celebrities who have offered their help to first responders, who were left without adequate protective equipment when an influx of cases of the respiratory virus began arriving in hospitals.

New York governor Andrew Cuomo thanked Rihanna and her foundation for helping out, tweeting: ‘I want to thank @rihanna and the Rihanna Foundation for donating Personal Protective Equipment to New York State.

‘We’re so appreciative of your help and that of so many others who have stepped up.’

He had also named several businesses who had stepped in to help medics, including Facebook and L’Oreal who donated hand sanitiser, Uniqlo for giving masks and NBC Universal for medical supplies and PPE. Andrew Cuomo added: ‘New York is fighting a war against this virus and we need all the help we can get.

"I want to thank @rihanna and the Rihanna Foundation for donating Personal Protective Equipment to New York State.We’re so appreciative of your help and that of so many others who have stepped up," said Andrew Cuomo on Twitter.

‘The generosity of these companies, organisations and individuals – and many others coming forward every day to offer support – will play a critical role in our mission to bolster our hospital surge capacity, support frontline workers and get people the help they need. ‘On behalf of the family of New York, I am deeply grateful for their generosity. We will get through this difficult time together, with the kindness, strength and tenacity that New York is known for.’

As well as her donation of equipment, RiRi’s Clara Lionel Foundation has also announced it will donate $5million (£4.1million) to help fight coronavirus and help those on the front line.