Texas has halted steps to reopen its economy after a sharp rise in coronavirus cases, as the United States hits some of its highest infection rates since the start of the pandemic.
Twenty-nine states are now experiencing new surges, with more than 37,667 new cases recorded as of yesterday, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) - a level approaching a new record - with 692 new deaths reported.
Vice President Mike Pence announced that the White House coronavirus task force would give a press conference today at the Department of Health and Human Services, the first of its kind in almost two months.