The conservative radio host said the virus was created in a Chinese laboratory

Limbaugh claimed the Chinese government wanted to 'scare people in business' 

He spoke as the World Health Organization warned of a potential 'pandemic' 

Rush Limbaugh claims the coronavirus is being 'weaponized' by the Chinese government to damage the US economy and bring down Donald Trump but is 'no worse than the common cold'.

The conservative radio host said the deadly virus was created in a Chinese government laboratory and was being used to 'scare people in business' and crash the stock market.

Limbaugh, 69, said on his podcast show yesterday: 'It looks like the coronavirus is being weaponized as yet another element to bring down Donald Trump.

'I want to tell you the truth about the coronavirus, the coronavirus is the common cold, folks.'

He added: 'I'm not trying to get you to let your guard down. Nobody wants to get any of this stuff. I mean, you never, I hate getting the common cold.