White House advisor Anthony Fauci has warned the next two weeks would be “critical to our ability to address [...] surgings” in Florida, Texas and other states, AFP reported.

However, President Donald Trump, whose handling of the crisis has been widely criticised as erratic, is determined to fast-track efforts to restore normality.

He continued to stoke controversy on Tuesday, doubling down on weekend comments he wanted to slow testing because so many confirmed infections made the US look bad.

“I don't kid,” Trump said, after a White House official described his initial comments as just a joke.