As COVID-19 deaths topped 250,000 today, the White House coronavirus task force signaled that the nation's pandemic situation is worsening, with more overrun hospitals and deaths potentially approaching 2,000 a day in the lead-up to Christmas—unless strong mitigation measures are taken.Meanwhile, the global COVID-19 total topped 56 million today, as Europe's cases slowed but its deaths rose.Stark predictions ahead of holidaysAdministration officials told CBS News that task force doctors informed Vice President Mike Pence that the United States might average 1,500 deaths a day by next week and as many as 2,000 a day by Christmas, unless more steps are taken.Concerned about surges in community spread that are already filling hospitals and