Deborah Birx, response coordinator for White House Coronavirus Task Force, warned on Thursday that easing up on social distancing could cause more coronavirus outbreaks in the US.

Social distancing effectively prevents new coronavirus cases, but some Americans aren't taking the president's guidelines seriously, the White House warned Thursday.

That could lead to more outbreaks and make it harder to get the virus in check, an expert said, making it imperative for people to stay away from others to avoid getting sick. .

People falling sick now were infected after the US issued those guidelines, Birx said. .

"We're only as strong as every community, every county, every state, every American following the guidelines to a T," Birx said, as she noted countries like France, Spain, Germany and even Italy, one of the coronavirus hotspots, have made progress in flattening their curves.

In New York, there's a major outbreak of the coronavirus and a sharp curve, with more sick people expected than beds, ventilators and other needed supplies.

Coronavirus lockdown: Why social distancing saves lives.

Still, Birx said that even states with flat curves could see the situation change quickly if social distancing isn't followed strictly over the next month.

The White House on Thursday also said there likely will be new guidelines issued about wearing cloth face masks outside the home.

The outbreak has caused cities and entire countries around the globe to issue lockdowns, shuttering stores, canceling events and ordering citizens to stay at home to help contain the coronavirus.

Wearing a maskWearing masks is another step people can take to protect themselves, but it should be done in addition to the other guidelines like social distancing, Birx said

Still, people wearing masks should exercise the same caution as if they weren't wearing masks -- stay at least six feet away from other people, avoid group gatherings, only go outside for exercise and essential errands, and wash hands when returning home. 

Birx said the country has delayed recommending everyone wear masks because of worries that people would feel "a false sense of security that that mask is protecting you exclusively from getting infected." Wearing a mask isn't a guarantee that you'll be protected, especially not scarves or homemade face coverings, which don't block particulates like N95 masks do