In the wake of the sharply rising number of COVID-19 cases in the country, U.S. Vice President Mike Pence and the coronavirus task force held a briefing in Washington, D.C. on Friday to address the nation's response to the pandemic.

U.S. officials estimate that 20 million Americans have been infected with the coronavirus since it first arrived in the country, meaning that the vast majority of the population remains susceptible.

Thursday’s estimate is roughly 10 times as many infections as the 2.3 million cases that have been confirmed. Officials have long known that millions of people were infected without knowing it and that many cases are being missed because of gaps in testing.

The briefing also comes as the White House, on Monday, cut back on temperature checks for visitors amid the pandemic but said anyone in close proximity with President Donald Trump and Pence would still be checked for the virus. White House spokesman Judd Deere said the decision was prompted by the city of Washington entering the second phase of its reopening, which allows for more economic activity.

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